The Legend of Zorro

The first part very pleasantly felt like a Spielberg adventure, whilst the second has almost nothing in common with it. The plot is like a cheap parody, the twists and turns are laughable, there are only three action scenes, only the first one was decent, Antonio Banderas' jealous creation is downright impossible.... Yes, it looks nice and James Horner composed some nice music, but it's a two-hour bore with a few bright moments.___P.S. It wasn't until last year that the top-notch The Lone Ranger showed everyone what a western and a funny and action-adventure spectacle for the whole family with a masked avenger in the lead role should look like. (10/18/2014)

A palpable drop in quality in comparison to the first part. It’s lost the shine, the light sarcasm and Anthony Hopkins. All we’re left with is the beautiful Catherine, an ageing Antonio and the crafty Tornado, but with these ingredients alone, without a good screenplay, you can’t make anything more than a slightly above average movie. (11/15/2008)

Unfortunately, the sequel is not even close to the first film. It is a convoluted and heavily overwrought action romp rather than a full-fledged adventure film. The actors are fine (a huge minus, of course, is the absence of Anthony Hopkins and other stars from the first film), the screenplay is a wild ride and a patchwork of all the sense and nonsense that the screenwriters managed to come up with in those seven years. Horner's music is very similar to the first part, in other words, playing it safe. The action is expertly shot, although at times it could be more accurately described as a circus performance. Out of nostalgia and love for the first part, I give it 3 and 1/2 stars. (10/27/2005)

What happened to the beauties of yesteryear? Zorro's comeback lacks the wonderfully adventurous charm of the entertaining and action-packed first one, which remains one of my all-time favourite genre films. This time Cambell got himself into a mess, completely overstuffed the story "enriching" it with an inappropriate and annoying family crisis. The only thing that can't be denied are the good visuals and some interesting action scenes, led by the train finale, which has the necessary pizzazz and charge. And of course Catherine Zeta-Jones, who still is the most beautiful actress of our time. 55% (08/28/2012)

An adventure as enjoyable as the now classic first installment, which the television reruns tried to make into an annoying "newbie" staple. Even this time, when looking at Catherine Zeta-Jones, I am dying, when bantering with Alejandro, I can't stop smiling, and Martin Campbell's directing still has a good amount of charm today. It's just a shame that the basic storyline still lags behind; this time, instead of seeking revenge, Zorro fights for fair inclusion in the federation, which turns the thrilling spectacle into unintentionally humorous moments. Still, The Legend of Zorro is a successful piece from the group of old-fashioned sixties novels, which I appreciate more and more. 70% (11/15/2008)