Just cracked open this still-sealed VHS of The Mask of Zorro.
Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and a breakout Catherine Zeta-Jones—back when swashbuckling still had studio money behind it. This is a classic baton-passing tale: the aging hero trains his replacement, swordplay and revenge ensue, all wrapped in that smoky, romantic 90s lighting.
There’s a certain grandeur to 90s blockbusters that feels extinct now. Not just scale—but ambition. Like every frame was trying to earn a spot in movie history. Today’s films still shoot for the stars, but with different coordinates. Different vocabulary.
Still a fun ride. And honestly, every trip to the thrift store feels like Blockbuster time travel.
Funny. I watched half of that last night and was going to watch the rest tonight. I hadn’t seen it since the 90s.
The fight scenes feel like a Jackie Chan movie from the same era. They are just a little slapstick and silly while broken up by a very serious movie. Enjoy.