Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.5 |
| Video | | 4.5 |
| Audio |  | 5.0 |
| Extras |  | 3.0 |
| Overall | | 4.5 |
The Mask of Zorro 4K Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 14, 2020
Sony has released the crowd pleasing 1998 film 'The Mask of Zorro' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby
Atmos Audio. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to the previously issued 2009 disc and brings with it the bulk of the supplemental content, but Sony has
added several new deleted scenes and trailers to the UHD disc.
The masked hero of the people, Zorro (Anthony Hopkins),
has once again saved the day, freeing a trio of innocent peasants from a firing squad under the
command of Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), an
evil tyrant who sees Zorro as a stumbling block towards his goal of ultimate power in California.
However, treachery is afoot: Montero has tracked Zorro -- a man by the name of Don Diego de la
Vega -- back to his home where his men
accidentally kill Diego's wife; Montero imprisons Diego and raises his daughter Elena as his
own. Twenty years later, Diego escapes from prison and seeks vengeance on his arch nemesis,
his assassination attempt halted only when his rightful daughter, Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), arrives
by Montero's side as his own daughter. Later, Diego happens upon young Alejandro Murrieta
(Antonio Banderas), a slovenly and drunken man mourning the loss of his brother who recently
died at the hands of Montero's most trusted underling, Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher).
Diego recognizes an older Alejandro as one of two brothers who aided him in his last victory over
Montero twenty years prior, and he takes Alejandro in as an apprentice to succeed him as the
masked hero of the people, Zorro.
For a full film review, please click
here
The Mask of Zorro 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Sony originally released The Mask of Zorro to Blu-ray in December 2009. The 1080p image was of a high quality for its time and it still holds
up as an adequate presentation today. But this is Sony, expectations are high for a dazzling, dizzying UHD upgrade from a film-based source, and the
studio
doesn't disappoint. This 2160p, native 4K, HDR fortified picture is flat-out gorgeous. It's beautifully organic and true to its film roots with greatly
expanded color and impeccable detailing. The picture is as sharp as it could seemingly be at this resolution, and naturally so. Grain is flattering and
evenly distributed, a healthy, organic output that gives the entire picture a beautiful film-like façade. Sharpness abounds and intricate details are
commonplace with pores, clothes, terrain, and structures revealing unrivaled accuracy. Every shot is a joy. Enough said.
The HDR color spectrum brings a new level of depth and enhancement to the proceedings. Red clothing adornments dazzle with richly realized tonal
accuracy and vibrancy well beyond the comparatively paltry Blu-ray's color limitations. Primaries pop with resplendent depth across the board, and even
as much of the film favors dusty beiges and other earthy tones there's no lack of tonal command, depth, and true-to-life accuracy. Whites are
extraordinarily rich and blacks are conversely deep and pure while enhancing, rather than detracting from, shadow detail. There are no obvious source
or encode flubs of note. A reference-level presentation through-and-through.
The Mask of Zorro 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The Mask of Zorro's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a blast. The instrumentals to open the movie present with both impeccable clarity as well as
superb stretch and low end effect. When Zorro swings the sword across the screen and an explosion follows, the over-engineered audio roars to life
with hugely satisfying vigor, capturing the essence of its era's sound mixes with remarkable precision. As the camera zooms into a crowd in the early
moments, the sense of immediate immersion is obvious. Chants and jeers emanate from all over, and the action scene to follow delivers all of
the foreground muscle and background din with expert balance, prioritization, and placement. The overheads are not used discreetly but the added
opportunity to support the elements from above and with more stretch through the back only improves the experience. Action to follow throughout
follows suit, with bass aplenty, surround usage to spare, and folded-in top end elements that more precisely and fluidly draw the listener into the chaos.
Whether some gunfire, clanking swords, explosions, anything and everything the film has to offer there's plenty of sonic character, clarity, and
chaotically balanced
immersion. Lighter atmospherics are also pleasantly integrated. When Alejandro first stands "in the Lair of the Fox" in chapter six, voices reverberate
with a tangible top-end support component and dripping water occasionally falls from above and around the listener. Music throughout energizes and
dialogue is clear and well prioritized. A perfect compliment to the A-plus visuals.
The Mask of Zorro 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
For this UHD release The Mask of Zorro, Sony has included several new deleted scenes and trailers. For
legacy content, Sony has simply repurposed the 2009 Blu-ray for this set. It includes the compliment of extras outlined below. Please click here for full coverage. This release ships with a Movies
Anywhere digital copy code and a non-embossed slipcover.
UHD:
- NEW! Deleted Scenes (1080p, 8:57 total runtime): Included are Scene 50 - Into the Dungeon, Scene 66 - Pay a Visit to Santa
Anna,
Scene
76 - Trinkets, Scene 105 - More Champagne, Scene 113 - A Sultry Dance-Alternate Cut, Scene 115 - You Should Have Told Me, Scene 134 - Pursuit
of
the Map, Scene 151 - Searching for Zorro, Scene 159 - Is That Man My Father, and Scene 159 (Original).
- NEW! Trailers (1080p): Included are Teaser Trailer 1 (1:16), Teaser Trailer 2 (1:46), and Theatrical Trailer
(3:09).
Blu-ray:
- Audio Commentary
- Unmasking Zorro
- Deleted Scenes
- Music Video
- The Legend of Zorro Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek
- Exclusive Scene from The Legend of Zorro
- Previews
The Mask of Zorro 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Zorro fans, rejoice. Sony has transferred the film to the UHD format with superb reference-grade picture and sound presentations and even a
couple of new
extras. It's a shame that The Legend of Zorro did not get the same treatment at the same time, but that's the only remotely
disappointing thing one can say about this release, and it doesn't even directly relate to it. This disc is truly first-rate. Very highly recommended.
