Comments on: Gael Garcia Bernal to Star in Zorro Reborn

By: whiskeysplace

whiskeysplace — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:50:01 +0000

Almost forgot, see also the Time Machine with Guy Pearce. Pearce is an excellent actor, he ruled in LA Confidential. But carrying an apocalyptic action movie is not the same as being a magnificently skilled actor. It requires material that evokes the fall of Rome, and the hope of renewal, with a guy who oozes charisma. I just don’t see that in Bernal.

By: whiskeysplace

whiskeysplace — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:45:54 +0000

Apocalyptic setting films are really the cultural memory of the Fall of the Roman Empire (in the West), a calamity unequaled by anything including the Black Death, in the West. As such, they appeal only if the hero seems a robust representative of the old order, uncorrupted. Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior films, is a good example. Clunkers include Kevin Costner in the Postman, Book of Eli with Denzel Washington, a number of others.

I doubt Bernal has the charisma and ability to portray the representative of the old order, still around, King Arthur-like, to win an audience. Its a tricky business, not the least of which is lead actor approximating the King Arthur figure. Bernal may be too young and ethnic to connect here, and Zorro is not exactly the return of the King. See Jason Mamoa in the Conan reboot. He wasn’t Arnold (an actor of limited talent but manifest charisma).

By: Nelson

Nelson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:02:31 +0000

To me, this is really scary territory. The success of the movie completely depends on how they handle the environment and setting of the story. Taking Zorro into the future, like a “Mad Max” type setting? Wow, that is a huge risk. I don’t know, it could be really cool if it’s something kind of similar to the setting of “The Book of Eli”. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.