A vigorous follow-up to the old Zorro films, a shade light at times, but full of spirit, panache and often telling dialogue.

Anthony Hopkins is the masked avenger of old California, who pays the penalty for one last act of defiance before the Spanish cede control. They track him to his lair and his wife is killed.

Not for the last time in the story, Hopkins is thrown in prison instead of being executed. Escaping after 20 years, he finds his old Spanish adversary Rafael (Stuart Wilson) back for one more attempt to rule the state, bringing with him Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones), Hopkins' daughter, whom he has claimed as his.

Hopkins also encounters Alejandro (Antonio Banderas), a rogue with a score to settle with Rafael's US aide, Capt Love (Matt Letscher). Hopkins rapidly grooms Banderas to be a new Zorro, a role Banderas handles very well, both in the charm and action stakes.

Hopkins and Zeta Jones (who has a terrific dance scene with Banderas) are also good, although she's unnecessarily demeaned by a preposterous duel with Banderas, in which he cuts off her clothing. Finally, though, blazing action, and lots of it, carries the day.