The Mask of Zorro

Movie review by Walter Metz, Common Sense Media
The Mask of Zorro Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Violent '90s action-adventure epic has some gore.

PG-13 1998 137 minutes
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 17 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Mask of Zorro is a 1998 action movie in which Anthony Hopkins plays the aging legendary swashbuckling hero. Unsurprisingly, there is quite a bit of sword fighting and swashbuckling. Some of the sword violence is comedic in the form of pratfalls and debonair one-liners. There is also fighting with guns, rifles, knives, and dynamite. A woman is shot and killed. Peasants are enslaved in a gold mine -- they are shown whipped, beaten, and kept in cages. One of the bad guys keeps a decapitated head in a glass container as well as a severed hand in a glass bowl. Zorro hits a large man in the head repeatedly with two cannonballs until he spits out his teeth and dies. During a sword fight, a woman's top is sliced off; her hair strategically covers her breasts. Brief male nudity, nonsexual: A group of men fighting Zorro end up tied up with their pants down, buttocks exposed. There is cigarette smoking and some drinking: One of the lead characters is shown drunk in a saloon mourning his brother's death. Wine and tequila drinking at social functions. "Damn" is heard.

Community Reviews

doctora
doctora Adult
June 4, 2022
age 12+

Swashbuckling film with corny jokes...this is an endorsement!

I saw the sequel first which I did not think was very good and did not have many high aspirations for this film, but I was mistaken. I can say with a straight face that this film is a swashbuckling good time. The story is intriguing and you grow to care about the characters. There is some male gaze parts but as a whole keeps that at a minimum. The film has poor Latinx representation. It did not take me out of the film, but that is not to say I did not notice it. The stunts and the fight scenes are a lot of fun and are easy to follow without a lot of CGI which makes for a more enjoyable and even-paced film. It's a family film with corny jokes and a happy ending.
MoviesForParents
MoviesForParents Adult
May 3, 2022
age 16+

Z? More like A+!

This review is for adults with older parents, who are particular about what they watch. Truly incredible. A modern swashbuckling masterpiece. Recommended for older parents! Although there's some sexuality, violence, racism, and unkempt beards - it's a great time at the movies. If the sweeping score, fantastic stuntwork, star performances, and classic story don't get you going then just go to bed so you can get an early start on yardwork. As far as the sexuality goes - it's electric seeing these people being attractive! It's fun seeing all the kissing! If my 60+Y.O. parents can handle it, anyone can. Think about it - does PBS show anything less shocking? You trust that channel with your kids' education (maybe? is The Magic School Bus still on? (Great show.)). Anyhow - I love this movie and I think showing it to a young teen would jazz 'em up pretty good. The villain is the wealthy! Something we all need to remember in the coming days. Thanks for reading!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 6 parent reviews

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 Vegas' (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. The violence and gore may be too much for sensitive kids, as well.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

  • Beneath the action of the movie is the subtext of economic injustice. How does the movie convey this economic injustice, and how does this play into Zorro's overall motivations?

  • Zorro was a book character first created in 1919. Since then he has appeared in books, films, and television. Why do you think Zorro has a timeless appeal?

Movie Details

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