The Legend of Zorro is set a decade after the conclusion of the previous adventure. Alejandro (Antonio Banderas) and Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) are married and have a 10-year-old son, Joaquin (Adrian Alonso). Though Alejandro continues to don the mask of Zorro to protect the poor and oppressed residents of the California territory from the greed of the overlords, he is torn between his duty and his desire for a more normal life. Now, he must face that conflict again head-on when plans for California to become the 31st state are undermined by a nefarious plot hatched by several prominent land barons and businessmen. In his valiant attempt to foil their plans, Zorro runs headlong into a crisis that threatens his life and the safety of his family.

Ah, cheesy, mindless, action packed entertainment how can you not like a movie that delivers all these things. The Legend of Zorro is the perfect popcorn flick and has that one thing only Zorro or pirate movies can deliver and that's swashbuckling adventure. Much like Mask of Zorro the movies are good modern day remakes of the original films, as they are fun and action packed. There is not a lot of story but then again who goes to a Zorro movies expecting a large intricate plot and lofty story-lines? You go for the fights and the battle between good and evil.

It is almost funny to see how they characterize California during the 1850's - the historical inacuracies are nigh on insane, then again I don't think most moviegoers will catch all the deviations from historical fact. The movie fit perfectly into the era of 1850 California and between the age of swords and guns. I don't know how many more of these movies they can churn out as it took so long for the sequel but I hope to see more. The movies are action packed, swashbuckling entertainment and thoroughly enjoyable.

When the first news and trailers begin to appear of the film I had my reservations about Antonio Banderas in the lead role (he's getting a little long in the tooth) and even in that movie he didn't entirely dispel my skepticism. But after seeing the Legend of Zorro I can't imagine anyone besides Antonio Banderas who I want for the role. He has matured into this part like fine wine - he Is Zorro no ifs ands or buts. And he still has the chemistry he had with Catherine Zeta-Jones from the original movie. These two play off each other magnificently as they are like ying and yang and make each other better by sharing the screen. All the humor and laughs are setup by their marital problems and their playful banter still works to a Z. Instead of being the third wheel like she was in Mask, Catherine Zeta-Jones this time around augments the story perfectly. The let down was Adrian Alonso and that is a risk you take everytime you cast a child actor. He is just short of terrible in the film and he takes away from a lot of the action of the film. Still if you pine for the cling and clang of a brandished sword and a masterful battle between those who know it's ways The Legend of Zorro is for you - go catch some Zs.

Check out the Diz biz for all kinds of cool stuff at
<a href="http://sirdizzy.org">sirdizzy.com</a>