The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

Touches You

Fresh and Exciting

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

The movie is top notch, it is up till now the best Count of Monte Cristo movie made.I fully recommend this movie to see and enjoy.

Can you seriously not understand the difference between the two mediums of art? Books are read and movies are watched. Of course this movie isn't anything like the book. But Kevin Reynolds does a great job of pacing this movie and making it beautiful for viewing which is the point of movies. Guy Pearce gives an outstanding performance as mondego. He's slimy ( the character) not the actor. Please stop criticizing this nice movie from the standpoint of "it's not like the book" be a book critic

The Count of Monte Cristo is a tale of deception and revenge which is carried out on the big screen and it was first released in 1934. After 68 years a director named Kevin Reynolds decided to do a remake which he released in 2002. It's a piece of old fashioned ambiguous entertainment. It is rated PG-13 because it has several violent scenes and a moment of implicit sexuality. This movie has its melodramatic aspect and sufficient humor that makes it hard to resist. A lot of universal and fundamental ideas of life such as personal growth, relationships, happiness, success, wealth, perspective, mysteries and finally freedom and liberty are also demonstrated in this gold-aged, adventurous movie. The movie stars Jim Caviezel as Edmond Dantes who is an honest man, very humble and blessed with good looks, good fortune and the love of the beautiful fiancé Mercedes played by Dagmara Dominczyk. Edmond's happiness and satisfaction infuriates his evil, well-bred friend Fernand DE Mondego (Guy Pearce), who is the main antagonist of the film. The conflict between these two characters leads Edmond in trouble, but later he gets himself out of it. The Count of Monte Cristo definitely has its pros and cons. Now starting off with the cons, it's one of those movies where it's going right at first but everything turns around in an instant to the point where one is not even expecting that to happen. Even though most movies have that instant turning around feature, to me it's a clique. Probably the biggest con would be how the time line of this movie is very unclear at times. For a number of scenes, it is hard to tell whether it has been days, months or years that had passed since the last time a given character had been on screen. The movie feels a bit drawn out at times but the graceful action scenes and the music in the background somewhat holds the audience's attention and keeps them on the edge of their seats which saves this movie from being too unfavorable. As for the pros, this movie is filled with amazing actors/actresses and serves as a great entertainment with its colorful cast, numerous plots, beautiful costumes, accessories and the music that truly makes up the movie. First, Richard Harris gives a legendary performance and is absolutely hilarious at times even though there is no spot for comedy here. Still, he manages to entertain us at these moments. Jim Caviezel who plays the male lead, gives off his usual and charming performance to make a stunning display in the movie. Finally, Guy Pearce who is probably the best-acting actor in the movie in terms really sinks into his role and character. His delivery of his duologue's and emotions throughout the film captures the audience's attention, even though he is playing a supporting role. The casting for this movie is truly perfect, and the actors do not disappoint whatsoever. The fast-paced nature of the film and the added romantic aspects truly makes this movie one of the great ones. Another thing it may do on a personal note for some of the audiences members, are bring back some old memories. Some joyful and nostalgic moments appear when you get to see those vintage telephones in the movie with the very exciting rotary dial feature. Since these no longer exist, it may bring back memories for the older viewers of the movie. All movies have their pros and cons and so does this one. I would say however, the pros outweigh the cons. As for watching the movie, this movie cannot be watched for a pick me up or in order to laugh hysterically but it's definitely a movie one should watch. Despite its minor shortcomings and fogginess, the count of Monte Cristo is still a great movie with excitement, creativity and is fun to watch.

I consider Alexandre Dumas' original novel to be probably the best adventure story I've ever read and would recommend everyone to immerse themselves in it as I did. However it was some years ago that I did so and as it recedes from my memory, I can't recall in detail the incidents from the book as they correlate to this film dramatisation by Kevin Reynolds, late of Kevin Costner's career-torpedoing "Waterworld", so that I can't take the point of view of some of the reviewers here about disparities with the source.For me then it was just a case of just sitting back, identifying enough with the main characters and following again the twists and turns of the story but not slavishly carping with any major deviations from Dumas' written word. It would be impossible anyway to condense such a massive tome into a two hour movie (watch the worthy French language six-part version starring Gerard Depardieu for that), so I just let myself be royally entertained with this sumptuously filmed, sharply written and well acted tale of jealousy, comradeship, enduring love but most of all, of course, revenge.The costumes and sets are a sight for sore eyes as are the well-chosen actual locations, particularly for the climactic scene at the ruined cloisters plus I liked the way film flagged its plotting intentions in planting in advance the little motifs by which Dantes will ensnare all his future prey, carefully dotting the i's and crossing the t's as he lures them to their deserved fates. All the leads perform well, Jim Caviezel mysterious but twisted as the too-trusting innocent taken in by best-friend Colin Farrell's covetous, asinine Mendango, Dagmara Dominczyk exotic but vulnerable as the woman they both love but who ultimately never wavers in her true devotion and Richard Harris in an effective cameo as the old priest who initially supplies the means by which Dantes can embark on his grand plan of payback but who also plants the seed for his moral redemption by the film's close.I almost couldn't believe that this was the same director who helmed Costner's expensive folly. Here Reynolds' direction flows excellently, always at the service of the story, nicely mixing up the action and suspense and while detractors might demur at the liberties taken with the text, I think the film still managed to purvey the underlying themes of the book and most importantly, entertained and thrilled this viewer at the same time.