Web posted on: Friday, July 17, 1998 4:28:26 PM EDT

From Reviewer Paul Clinton

(CNN) -- I grew up watching Guy Williams as "Zorro" on television. There was even a kid, named Dickie, who lived in my suburban Ohio neighborhood who use to dress up like Zorro and paint big "Z"s on people's garage doors. He was not a popular kid. So I have very fond memories of this classic legend and I wasn't disappointed with this new big screen version. Actually, with the release of this movie, I wouldn't be too surprised to hear that Dickie is out there somewhere, once again, painting "Z"s on garage doors.

"The Mask of Zorro," starring Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas and newcomer Catherine Zeta-Jones is the first film version of Zorro to be made in forty years, and it's operatic in scope, and blatantly romantic.

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Hopkins, the swordfighter

The film begins in 1821 when Zorro, played here by Hopkins, was still fighting the Spanish governor who ruled the territory of California. Hopkin's holds his own, but it's very obvious that the sword fighting scenes are done by a stunt man. There are lots of close ups of boots and eyes, intercut with long, long shots of Zorro leaping from building to building.

The first act ends with Zorro being imprisioned by his arch enemy Don Rafael Montero. Governor Montero is being recalled to Spain but not before he kills Zorro's wife, burns his home, and kidnaps his infant daughter. Ouch!

Flash forward twenty years. Hopkins escapes from jail upon learning that Montero is back. This time Montero has a scheme to buy California from Mexico's President, General Santa Anna, who needs money for his army.

Revenge is on his mind until he sees his daughter Elena, who is now all grown up and beautiful. He's determined to let her know that he, not the evil Montero, is her real father.

Enter Antonio

But, not being as young as he use to be, (ten minutes earlier in the film), Zorro enlists the help of a scuffy young bandit, Alejandro Murileta, played brilliantly by Banderas. Hopkins then proceeds to turn Banderas into a new version of his old self. Hopkins teaches Banderas the fine points of dressing like a gentleman, hair grooming, which fork to use at state dinners, and oh yes, how to ride like the wind, and how to use a sword like, well, like Zorro.

The results are the best sword fighting scenes since Douglas Fairbanks graced the silver screen. The fight scenes are also interlaced with great humor that at times becomes hiliarious and gives the film a delicious comedic edge. At one point Banderas is asked if he knows how to use a sword? "The pointy end goes in the other man," is his deadpan reply.

From the opening credits to it's spectacular conclusion "The Mask Of Zorro" is an old fashion swashbuckler with lightning-paced sword fights, unbelievable stunts, lush scenery, (shot on location in Mexico) heart pounding romance and great "boy do we hate'em" villains."

Yep, this is the good old fashion serial adventure brought back to life. It's also wonderful to see an action movie that doesn't involve all the cliches such as car chases, helicopters, speed boats and Bruce Willis.

The Spanish word for 'fox'

Caught in the middle of all this swashing and buckling is Zeta-Jones, the woman both men love. But a warning. The combined beauty of Zeta-Jones and Banderas on the same screen may you leave you feeling dazed and confused.

This film is achingly romantic, beautifully photographed and wonderfully written. Director Martin Campbell, who also helmed "GoldenEye" in 1995, has a splendid eye for details, while providing great action combined with humor. Of course, "The Mask of Zorro" is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg and his fingerprints are all over the finished product.

Zorro, which is the Spanish word for fox, is the perfect hero. He fights the rich and defends the poor and instead of killing his enemies he usually embarrasses them by exposing them as total fools while beating their pants off in a swordfight.

Hopkins is regal as the older Zorro. And I'm betting this role as the younger masked avenger will finally turn Banderas into an international mega-star. Unknown Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is also on the fast track to stardom and she's no wimpy girlie-girl in this action story. She goes toe-to-toe and blade-to-blade with the best of them.

This film has a perfectly symmetrical script that comes full circle at the end. It's a totally delightful movie-going experience. I smell sequel. Antonia Banderas may be currently campaigning to don a white mask and play the title role in the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom Of The Opera," but I see another black mask in his future, too.

"The Mask of Zorro" is rated "PG-13" with a running time of 136 minutes.