The Legend of Zorro
Studio: Sony/Columbia Year: 2005 Rated: PG Program Length: 129 minutes Aspect Ratio: 2:35:1 1080p Languages: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, French Dolby TrueHD 5.1; Spanish, Portuguese, Thai Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai |
The Program
While watching The Legend of Zorro, I had the feeling that I was viewing a PG version of a James Bond film set in California more than 150 years ago. Many of the elements of a Bond film are present here – a villain intent on destroying the United States, spectacular chases and explosions, and mind-boggling stunt work. The film even contains the obligatory scene where the hero is captured and could easily be killed, but the execution is put off and…well, you get the idea.
The second installment in what may become an ongoing series, The Legend of Zorro picks up approximately ten years after The Mask of Zorro. California, having gained its independence from Mexico, is voting on whether to petition for statehood. When a gang of thugs led by the facially-scarred religious fanatic Jacob McGivens (Nick Chinlund) steals a ballot box, Zorro (Antonio Banderas) swings into action. A thrilling chase ensues, concluding with some amazing swashbuckling swordplay which will have you asking, “How did they do that?”
When Zorro returns to his hacienda as Alejandro de la Vega, his elation at saving the election is short-lived. He has promised his beautiful wife, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), that he will retire as Zorro and spend more time with her and their son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). Now that statehood has been assured, Elena believes that it is time for Alejandro to make good on his promise and retire his black mask. However, when the church bells sound the signal for Zorro, Alejandro is compelled to answer the call.
Following a frightening encounter with two mysterious Americans, Elena files for divorce and is courted by Armand (Rufus Sewell), a French aristocrat who has built a winery in California. However, Armand may not be exactly what he appears to be, and it turns out that Elena’s interest in him is not entirely romantic. Her relationship with Armand only serves to provoke jealously in Alejandro, and he becomes determined to win Elena back.
The film manages to raise the specter of civil war, based upon the historically dubious premise that the South was ready to secede and wage war on the Union as early as 1850. A significant portion of the film involves the daring actions of the plucky son Joaquin, who demonstrates beyond doubt that he has inherited many of his father’s genes.
Although The Legend of Zorro does in many respects remind me of a James Bond movie, where it differs is in the lack of sexual content. Catherine Zeta-Jones is gorgeous as always, but in keeping with the film’s PG rating the romantic action never goes farther than a chaste kiss. The producers clearly wanted to make a family-friendly film, and young viewers are likely to cheer lustily for the young boy Joaquin. Personally, I could have done without the heroics of a ten-year-old, but that may just be me.
The Legend of Zorro is a pleasant diversion but nothing in the film is terribly surprising. If you enjoyed the lead actors in The Mask of Zorro, you will find them to be just as enjoyable here. Nick Chinlund makes an impressive bad guy as McGivens, and Rufus Sewell is suitably smarmy as the oily Frenchman. The location filming in San Luis Potosi, Mexico gives the film an authentic feel and the special effects are seamless and very realistic.
My major complaint (as it was with The Mask of Zorro) is that it goes on too long. It is worth noting that The Mark of Zorro, which was released in 1940, managed to be at least as exciting in just 93 minutes.
The Video
The 1080p Blu-ray widescreen transfer is extremely sharp and colorful. The Mexico locations are truly spectacular. The swift movements of horses and trains are captured without a hint of digital artifacts. Explosions and a fireworks display look exceptionally realistic. Flesh tones and the colors of costumes are accurately displayed. Many of the scenes take place at night and shadow detail is excellent. All in all, this is a first-rate rendition of the film.
The Audio
The Dolby Digital TrueHD 5.1 audio is excellent, with terrific separation and effects. The room-shaking explosions will give your subwoofer a workout and the music is beautifully rendered. I did experience some difficulty with a few lines of dialogue, but that had more to do with Antonio Banderas’ accent than with the soundtrack. Toggling on the English subtitles solved that problem for me.
The Supplements
The Legend of Zorro Blu-ray disc includes a number of special features. All of the supplements are shown in standard definition and stereo sound.
The films can be viewed with a running commentary by directory Martin Campbell and cinematographer Phil Meheux.
A “scene deconstruction” feature allows the viewers to view two scenes in split-screen format, showing the scene as it was being rehearsed, as it was being filmed, and how it looks in the final cut.
Deleted scenes include alternate opening and closing scenes which were shelved for reasons explained by the director. Three other deleted scenes can be viewed either with or without the director’s comments.
There are also four featurettes:
1.“Stunts” is a 9-minute featurette which shows how the more memorable stunts in the film were done. Antonio Banderas explains that he prefers to do as many of his own stunts as possible.
2.“Armand’s Party” is an interesting 12-minute look at how a lavish outdoor party was filmed. The scene almost had to be moved indoors after a severe thunderstorm damaged the set.
3.“Playing with Trains” is a 12-minute featurette which shows how the producers used both a vintage locomotive and a model to create some very realistic scenes. The filmmakers could not find a vintage locomotive which actually worked, so they pushed the train with a diesel locomotive and then digitally removed the diesel locomotive in the editing room.
4.“Visual Effects” is a 6-minute featurette about how the film’s excellent special effects were created.
A preview of the Blu-ray release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind also is included.
Other Features
The pop-up menu allows the viewer to change audio selections, turn sub-titles on and off, and turn the commentaries on and off while the film continues to play.
The Packaging
The single disc comes in a standard Blu-ray keepcase.
The Final Analysis
The Legend of Zorro is not as fresh as The Mask of Zorro, but if you enjoyed the latter you will undoubtedly like this one as well. While it goes on a bit too long for my taste, there are enough thrills to keep the viewer’s attention. The opening scene alone is sure to impress anyone.
Equipment used for this review:
Panasonic DMP-BD10A DVD Player
Sharp LC-42D62U LCD display
Yamaha HTR-5890 THX Surround Receiver
BIC Acoustech speakers
Interconnects: Monster Cable
Release Date: December 11, 2007
