Customer Reviews

Mask of Zorro

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I normally write reviews on "hard to find" books or music because when I find a "normal" product that is "good", there are already great reviews that state what I would. This is no different...somehow me & my wife are into "swashbuckler" movies & the DVD version of "The Mask of Zorro" we have watched many times. Both of us have fallen in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones & because of her excellent performance, we bought her earlier British TV series "Darling Buds of May". Be that as it may, the music is fantastic throughout this revisited Zorro movie & at last we got the CD through Amazon.com. James Horner writes in top form that mixes modern renderings with the classic Spanish sound of that time period (1810's to 1840's). The CD is well recorded with great depth, holding a vast timber. My front room shakes during certain low notes & I don't play my stereo system loud. Yes, like one reviewer already wrote, some sections sound like a Spanish version of "River Dance" with the recordings of dancing feet that sets the rhythm of the music, but what about the greatest dance of the movie? The part where the "Zorro-To-Be" dances a sexy tango with Zorro's daughter? It is missing from the CD!!! If this piece was included I would rate this CD a "5" because everything else is great.

Much has already been said about this soundtrack, but I wanted to elaborate on something:

The only reason the music from the dance sequence isn't on this soundtrack is because it wasn't composed by Horner. I believe the dance sequence music is originally based on a famous folk song from the 1800's called "El Sombrero Blanco". (Supposedly, it was also used in 1940's The Mark of Zorro during a dance sequence.)
I did find a rendition online by Enrique Rodriguez called "El Sombrero" that sounds very similar to what was used in The Mask of Zorro. Keep in mind that the folk song is more upbeat -- in the movie version, they slowed it down, added more strings, and made it more dramatic.

So, don't let the fact that the dance sequence isn't on here keep you from buying this soundtrack. The rest of the music is wonderfully orchestrated, with the dancing feet/clapping rhythms matching the quick fencing action seen in the movie. When I first listened to "Zorro's Theme", during each dramatic crescendo, I could perfectly envision Zorro on-screen making one of his heroic entrances. It's hard to explain -- everytime I hear that song, I feel like standing on a rock, letting the wind blow through my hair, and staring into the sunset. I know that sounds ridiculous, lol, but it's really what goes through my head. Just listen to the song.

Anyway, I originally bought this soundtrack because of "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You", which is now one of my favorite movie songs of all time. And, I was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the music, which allowed me to relive what was already a beautiful movie-going experience. If you at least "liked" the movie, this soundtrack will be well worth your money.

I believe the music was what made the movie so powerfully enthralling, romantic, adventurous... The music evokes passion; it makes you feel like you're in that era and makes you believe in heroes again. The thrill you feel when you see Zorro, in his trademark gesture, raising his horse Tornado to the sun, waving to the people, and galloping off -- that's the thrill that is captured in this music.

This soundtrack is so cool! I play it every day in band because our competition show is the soundtrack to "The Mask of Zorro" It is a powerful soundtrack and it sounds pretty good. Let me rephrase that-it sounds really good!! I also love "I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You." The songs are not boring like some people have said. It is moving and fast sometimes. Sure, there are slow songs, but they really move you. We did not get the movie right when it came out but when we heard that our competition show was going to be "The Mask of Zorro," we got it. I love this soundtrack and if you are still thinking on buying it, you should. It is the coolest soundtrack ever-as good as Star Wars. Maybe even better-you decide.

This is one of James Horner's finest scores. It perfectly blends action with romance. Here we are:

Track 1: The single best opening to a score I've ever heard. As soon as the guitar clicks in at 2 seconds into the track you know it's gonna be a great cd. After about a minute and a half, the opening ends and the rest of the song is standard action music, but nothing special.

Track 2: Romantic for the first half and the last half is suspenseful.

Track 3: Very cool action music.

Track 4: Don't remember.

Track 5: Interesting and fun, sort of romantic.

Track 6: Fantastic. Perfect Zorro action music that will leave you smiling.

Track 7: Lovely romantic song.

Track 8: Great theme, very lush and romantic.

Track 9: Don't remember.

Track 10: This one will knock you off your feet. The first three minutes and thirty seconds is very suspenseful, building up to the Zorro's fight with Montero and the other badguy (forget his name). The sword fight itself is absolutely perfect, I mean perfect, music and the ensuing chase music as Zorro makes his escape will leave you breathless and exhilarated. My favorite track on the album.

Track 11: The first half is suspense building. Then around 6:30 it turns into an all out action cue. This track contains what I think is some of the most complex action music ever composed. I mean EVER composed, not just by Horner. It's great.

Track 12: A great romantic ending to a great score.

Forget the song.

'The Mask Of Zorro' is acclaimed as one of James Horner's best works, which is no little acheivment considering some of his others ('Titanic', 'The Perfect Storm'). The CD combines many different styles of music, and Horner's background shines through from the panpipes of 'Titanic' to the frantic dancing of 'Riverdance'. But together with this is a new blend of music, that of a latin flavour, with handclapping, flamenco guitars, and castinets finding their way into the music. From the first minute of "The Plaza Of Execution", one can tell that the soundtrack was worth buying. The CD is a masterpiece, and with various musical themes woven in and out through the entire 75 minutes, remains interesting. The mood of the movie is captured like a photograph in this soundtrack. Track 1 introduces many musical thoughts, some which are not repeated again. "Elena and Esperanza", "Elena's Truth", "Leave No Witnesses. . ." and "Stealing The Map" Show the soundtrack's quieter (yet very suspenseful) mood. "The Ride" and "Tornado In The Barracks" make you picture Zorro in full swing, with fast paced Orchestrated tracks paired with the latin flavouring. "The Mine (Montero's Vision)" is quite interesting, and while standing out compeltely on it's own, "The Fencing Lesson" is as good as any other song on the CD. "Diego's Goodbye" and "Zorro's Theme" capture the love and emotional scenes in the movie, but hold up without the picture. The soundtrack is well worth the money, and you will find yourself listening and listening to it over and over again. Get it for yourself. You deserve it.

I guess it's a pretty good score, but my appreciation was dulled by my disappointment at the fact that the one track I really wanted was not on the CD. The song that plays during Alejandro and Elena's "spirited" dance is not here, as I came to realize. It actually isn't even an official part of the score, I think now, but boy did I want it to be on here.

It is always such a disappointment when you buy a soundtrack and find out that the song/music you most liked in the movie is not included in the OST.
I bought this CD mainly because I simply found the music which Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones danced to in the movie quite irresistible. I don't know what instrument was used but it sounded like a violin, and it was amazing, sounding both passionate and romantic at the same time. So I was really disappointed when I listened to the CD and didn't hear it. Other than that however, I have no other complaints.

We remember the old TV episodes about that masked hero of Mexico.. Guy Williams.. Every fair maiden is named "Maria"

ZORRO IS BACK, and he boasts an equally impressive soundtrack!!! Full of exciting guitar and flemenco action.. James Horner.. The brain behind soundtracks such as.. Titanic... Braveheart... Perfect Storm... The Grinch... And albums as old as "Willow" and "Searching for Spock". He's been at it long enough.. He ought to know what he's doing! I love to listen to this music when I get that URGE... I need spunk.. (A great track to wake up to in the morning is no. 1 ..)It's sure to wake you up. (And make you feel heroic for doing so!

The Mask of Zorro is a superb score that I highly reccomend.

1. The Plaza of Execution is a very exciting track. It blends some great spanish music, with some great Horner action cues, and even a grand rendition of the Zorro theme.

2. Elana and Esperanza is a heart wrenching track. It begins as Don Diego comes home to his wife and baby daughter. By the end of the track, his wife is dead, and his daughter is stolen from him. A very emotional and intense track.

3. The Ride, is a major let up from track 2, it is fun, exciting, loud, and fast! A great action track by Horner.

4. Elana's Truth, is a sweet, emotional track.

5. The Fencing Lesson, is full of awesome percussion, full force spanish guitars, and fun orchestrations.

6. Tornado in the Barracks is like the fencing lession, only a bit more intense.

7. The Confession, is a bit more toned down than you become used to, and it actually is a welcome break.

8. Zorro's Theme. An awesome, sweeping, emotional track in the tradition of Horner's drama scores.

9. The Mine is a short, dark, almost creepy track.

10. Stealing The Map is a suspensful, fun, action oriented track.

11. Leave No Witnesses, is an entertaining, fun, and exciting track.

12. Diego's Goodbye is another emotional track. Very impressive.

13. I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You, James Horner can write Pop ballads. Dude

This soundtrack is as good as the Titanic soundtrack. Maybe it's even better. Tracks 3 and 6 begin with a lot action and I like that yes. If you like Titanic, you like The mask of Zorro!