 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Mask of Zorro
- Review Date: October 27, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Competently made action-adventure epic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film is an action epic, featuring mostly sword fighting and some significantly intense moments of violence and (cartoonish) gore. The film is not suitable for any child who is easily upset by intense action or simulated gore. Teenagers are its target audience, but not much in the film would bother younger children that are used to Hollywood action clichés.
What's the story?
THE MASK OF ZORRO is built upon the development of the father-son relationship and engagingly explores the family dynamics that result. The story begins with Diego de la Vega's (Anthony Hopkins) capture by Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), an evil American cavalry officer. Montero murders Zorro's wife and steals his infant child, Elena (Catherine-Zeta-Jones). Twenty years later, the former Zorro seeks to train a younger replacement so that he may avenge the death of his wife and retrieve his now-grown daughter. Zorro chooses Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) as his protégé. Together, they battle Montero with courage and bravery.
Is it any good?
THE MASK OF ZORRO rises above the banal Hollywood action film, due to the fine performances of Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas as the old and young Zorros. The overall plot is quite engaging and offers the traditional fun of watching heroes vanquish evil villains. However, if viewing a high-quality film with your child is what you are after, it's best to look elsewhere.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the role adults have in training their children as future citizens. As with most action movies, the ambiguous morality of revenge is the film's central concern. Is it right for both Zorros to devote their lives to violence to avenge the wrongful deaths of their loved ones? When does justice become vigilantism? What is the proper role of individuals in righting clear social wrongs that are depicted in the film?
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Parent of 12 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A Fun and Rousing Adventure!
THE MASK OF ZORRO is a fun movie, but not for all.
Violence is the biggest issue in the film. Swordfights, duels, deaths, and big flashy explosions populate this adventure. One scene very briefly shows a man's decapitated head and hand floating in water. The violence is mostly without gore. Language consists of one use of "d**n". Sex consists of one very brief shot of several men's bare behinds, and one playful scene where Elena's top is cut off (but no nudity shown at all).
It's a fun, rousing adventure that makes a good family movie, but I wouldn't show it to sensitive kids.
Recommended.
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Kid, 9 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I was jumping up and down.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Caution! Very Gory
The head being severed is off screen but latter in the film you are shown a close up of the head and hand of the hero's brother in jars! Both the nemesis and the hero drink from this jar! This was very disturbing for our daughter. We stopped the film. Some scenes are cartoonish but not these parts.
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Teen, 15 years old
May 22, 2011
AGE
this film is an action epic, featuring mostly sword fighting and some significantly intense moments of violence and (cartoonish) gore. The film is not suitable for any child who is easily upset by intense action or simulated gore. Teenagers are its target audience, but not much in the film would bother younger children that are used to Hollywood action clichés.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
August 30, 2011
AGE
One of my favourite movies of all time!!
The hand and head in a jar is seriously disturbing and quite a few ppl r killed. But awsum sword fighting and action scenes!!!! Catherine Zeta Jones looks stunning in this movie, even more so than in the second. Antonio Banderas and his character's brother fight men of the law and strip them naked and strap them to bamboo, but only their behinds are shown. In one scene Antonio strips Catherine down to the waist but nothing is shown as she uses his hat and her extremely long hair to cover up. A passionate kiss follows. Other than that, nothing really that bad. Id even say that its iffy for age 9.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 12 year old
May 6, 2011
AGE
Some Of The Action Can Be Iffy For Ages 2+
A Lot Of Violence But Its Still A Super Awesome Movie About A Old Hero Letting Another Person Become The New Hero
What other families should know:
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Adult
February 2, 2011
AGE
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Would be a great movie if they took out one scence
I watched this movie with my family and I suprsingly liked it. It was great, except for the part when the blond guy takes out Alejandro's brothers head. That was very disturbing and unexpected.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 11, 2011
AGE
The Mask Of Zorro
I was a very geursome movie. A lot of people died and it was very scarey. I had to lock all the doors after the movie. It is a good movie for adults but for kids like myself i dont recimend it. Sorry for all the bad spelling.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
better than the second one
luved it :-D the part where the head and hand are shown in jars is sooo fake. everything else is just action vioence. this movie is a lot more serious and action filled than the second one.
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Martin Campbell |
| Cast: | Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 137 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 17, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | December 1, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some intense action and violence |
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