Praise for Zorro - July 13,1998

Dear all of you who probably saw either "Deep Impact", "Armageddon", "Godzilla" or "Lost in Space":
The summer's action movie has arrived and it is

The Mask of Zorro

This letter is nothing other than a ringing endorsement from me, if that means anything. I caught a sneak preview and it reminds me of the Indiana Jones movies. Found within:
- a believable and likable hero (something missing if you look at the last few year's worth of movies. There's only Bond leftover from years ago. BTW - Zorro's director directed Goldeneye!)
- beautiful locales and cinematography.
- a directing style by Martin Campbell similar to Cameron and Spielberg in that the camera doesn't need to shake to replace the lack of action. In this movie, there is action and Campbell simply films it. The action stands on it's own without needing a "Con-Air" like crutch from the cinematographer.
- the stars of this movie are ACTORS. Not necessarily "action movie stars". They really drive the plot and raise the stakes AND they look damn good in a fight (also, Anthony Hopkins is the world's greatest actor, don't even debate me....).

So, this summer has had great movies, see Bulworth and Out of Sight, but as far as action goes, there certainly was no Jurassic Park or Clear and Present Danger yet this year. Not to say Zorro was brilliant in a LA Confidential kind of way, but it's smart, looks good, and has great action, which is nothing that any other action movie out there has. So if you're fed up with the MTV antics of Armageddon, GO see "The Mask of Zorro", it opens friday.

I'm Paul Preston, and the balcony is closed.

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