The Mask of Zorro (Movies Anywhere 4K) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony  
 Release Date: May 5, 2020
 Rating: PG-13
Film: 4/5
 
 Plot
 When a power-crazed despot schemes to buy California from Mexico, it takes two Zorros--the legendary Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) and his chosen successor Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas), a dashing bandit-turned-hero-- to defeat the tyrant's unscrupulous plans. But can even their combined skills, bravado and derring-do be enough to achieve de la Vega's ultimate goal: revenge against the man who killed his wife, kidnapped his daughter and held him prisoner for twenty years?
  
 My Thoughts
 This was a film I eagerly anticipated watching on 4K UHD, but alas, the Pandemic strikes again and the fulfillment house is closed in California and Sony could only send a digital code my way. Fortunately, the Movies Anywhere code activated the 4K (although Vudu only offered up an HDX version). Regardless, I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
 
It has been a number of years since I’ve seen this—more than 20—and it holds up pretty well after all these years. The video encode is quite good. Although I’m sure the actual 4K disc looks even better, but the quality of streaming has improved measurably as the encoding algorithms have gotten more sophisticated. This is a typical action/adventure film that features a young Katherine Zeta Jones—who looks marvelous—as well as the prequel character to Puss in Boots 😉

  
 Video 4/5 (Movies Anywhere 4K Streaming)
 
 Audio 4/5 (Dolby Digital Plus 5.1)
 
 Special Features:
 

• None

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsL_9PTF4bE&feature=emb_logo
 

 Conclusion
 This is a fun trip down memory lane and the film is just as entertaining as it was in the nineties. The Movies Anywhere experience doesn’t measure up to what I’d expect to see on disc, but I can’t say the A/V quality was poor by any stretch. Hopefully the studio sends over a 4K copy when they are finally back in business so I can do a direct comparison. Recommended for fans (or buy the disc from your favorite retailer today).
 
 Reference Review System:
  
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)

Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner