The Count of Monte Cristo

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Summary: Count of Monte Cristo
Review: I thought it was a great movie. Really touching. Terriable how some "friends" treat others. I am glad it was a happy ending.

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Summary: a good movie but a horrible adaptation
Review: As a movie the Count of Monte Cristo is entertaining on its own but when compared to the book it is horrible. There are several instances where Hollywood had its way with the plot. The revelation about who Alberts real father is being the worst. This did not happen in the book. The movie lacks the style of the book. The Count was much more subtle and devious in the book and never stooped to getting is hands diry himself. I also don't recall any sword fights in the book (although they were decent, but nothing spectacular). As I said, taken on its own the movie is entertaining but it deviates terribly from the book which is superior in everyway.

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Summary: Hollyweird at it's worst
Review: I was gravely disappointed at this latest version of The Count of Monte Christo. Dumas must be rolling around in his grave seeing how his book was compromised for the big screen. If you want to see a movie faithful to the book, than this is not for you. However, if you want to see a movie with one red hot actor (Caviezel) and some decent swordplay, than this is for you. The costumes were beautiful and the acting was decent, the only elements saving this flick from the trash bin.

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Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: Going into the film I expected a good time, watching an okay movie and hanging with some pals. What I got was a good time, hanging with pals and watching an excellent movie! The much-filmed story gets restyled with youthful actors and an interesting script, not to mention the intriguing story. The story I am speaking of is that of Edmond Dantes (played with innocence and then anger by Jim Caviezel) who seems to be riding the high life with a new job as captain and a beautiful fiancee until he is arrested for treason. What Edmond doesn't know (at first) is that he has been set up by his jealous friend Ferdinand (played with evil smarmyness by Guy Pearce). With such high caliber acting and beautiful settings, it's tough not to be completely drawn into this story. I highly recommend that if you're going to the theaters this weekend, that you check this one out.

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Summary: Wow!
Review: The Count Of Monte Cristo

I went to this movie, expecting to see nothing more than a good adventure movie with decent sword fights. Mind you, I did not know of the story of The Count Of Monte Cristo, however I liked many of Alexander Dumas' other stories. What I received from this movie, was an amazing plot line, great sword fights, over the top performances by the entire cast, and simple humor. I was definitely surprised at how simple the filming techniques were compared to many of Hollywood's other recent films, and this made it only better. Probably the best tale of revenge I have ever experienced, The Count Of Monte Cristo will go down in history as one of my favorite movies. I could not stop smiling the entire time, and man did I really hate Guy Pierce!

Final Grade: 10/10 (There was absolutely nothing wrong with this movie!)

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Summary: The Count of Monte Cristo is so much better than I expected
Review: The Count of Monte Cristo is so much better than I expected it to be. I have to admit I had no desire to see this movie this past weekend. The only reason I happened to see this was because my friend had seen most of the other movies. I had no interest in watching The Count of Monte Cristo being that old movies like this just are not my thing, but man was I glad I saw this movie. It is such a great flick with a bit of romance thrown in. I don't want to give any details so Im not gonna give any of the movie away. I can say the movie mostly takes place in the dark so be prepared when your in the theatre. I just can't spoil the movie, but i can also say the lesson of this movie is to never doubt God because he Knows true justice and what goes around comes around. As I said im not normaly in to these kinds of movies based back in the days of Napolian as this one is, but I HIGHLY recommend you check out this amazing movie as it is full of surprises and makes you feel so sorry yet so much hope for the main character. I will be including this in my DVD collection when it comes out! Great Movie check it out!

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Summary: James Caviezel leads the way in a solid MONTE CRISTO
Review: Alexandre Dumas' classic adventure novel of revenge and romance, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO has been endlessly made and remade in various films and TV series. It's no wonder as the book's themes of betrayal and payback are timeless. Kevin Reynolds directs a solid and full blooded version of this classic that features a star-making turn by James Caviezel in the title role. Caviezel never hits a false note in his role of Edmond Dantes, the sailor sent to prison on trumped-charges and who eventually escapes to seek his revenge on the 3 men who conspired against him. Caviezel easily handles both the innocence of the young Dantes and the bitter cynicism of his vengeful alter-ego. Richard Harris, who is making a cottage-industry of playing quirky supporting roles, provides warmth and humor as the Abbe' Faria, the fellow prisoner who mentors Dantes. Dagmara Domincyzk is lovely as Mercedes, Edmond's fiancee. However, Guy Pearce, who plays Dantes' romantic rival and former friend is a little too over-the-top with his mincing and sneering portrayal. At one point, I began thinking he needed a top hat, handlebar mustache and cape to complete the picture.
Filmed on location in opulent locations in Malta and Ireland, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is a feast for the eyes. At one point, the Count makes a grand entrance in a hot-air balloon that clearly illustrates his power and mystery.
The screenplay is a solid enough adapation of the rather long novel, although it does throw in a couple twists that were not in the original. After Dantes appears in his Count identity, the pace of the film really takes off as plotlines are shortened and tightened. The action scenes are also top-notch.
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is an entertaining and fun swashbucklng type of flick that they just don't make any more. As such, it is easily the best film of this genre since THE MASK OF ZORRO which, in an ironic twist, also used elements of Dumas' novel. I definitely would recommend this film to adventure lovers and romantics everywhere.

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Summary: Stupendous!!!!!
Review: This is simply the best film I have seen since May 6,2000 when I sat down to watch Gladiator. It is absolutely amazing and beyond words. I really thought that this movie would be a farce considering the length of the book and the treatment that was done of "The Three Musketeers" back in 1993. But I was more than a bit pleasantly surprised at the faithfullness to the text. Yes some things were changed and peripheral characters were left out, however that should be expected since there was no way that the entire contents of a 1091 page book are going to fit into a theatrically realeased movie.

The movie is so well done that you don't even care. And trust me I'm a hardcore fan of the COMC, it is one of my top favorite books.

The only thing I saw Jim Caviziel in was that Jenifer Lopes flick where he seemed "out of it". For some reason I thought that I would get the same performance in this movie. Not so Caviziel plays Edmond the way I thought that he should be played. First off all as a naive boy, then as the movie progresses you see the anguish he goes through as his innocence has been ripped from him in prison, then to the noble aristocrat with a shimmering rage just underneath the surface. Guy Pearce is excellent as t the perfidious Fernand, and so is James Frain as Villefort. I especially liked Dagmara Dominczyk as Mercedes. She and Caviziel had the most amazing chemistry. It was one of the best and most believable romances I have seen on the big screen.

The acting, the sets, the costumes and the excellent sword fights truly make this a delight of the senses. I wish that Hollywood would put this kind of stuff out more often. Please see this film believe me you will NOT be disapointed.

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Summary: The Exception To The Rule
Review: Take a book and place it on screen and rarely is anyone fully satisfied. Take a classic book that has been put on the screen many times before, and expectations for a poor film are understandable. "The Count Of Monte Cristo", is a wonderful exception to the expected rehash of cliché.

Firstly, the film takes its time. This is not a 90-minute cliché with special effects substituting for substance. This is a great cast, well directed, with the tale spread over 2 hours and 20 minutes of screen time that will not have you glancing at your watch. Richard Harris is the veteran of the screen and is wonderful as Dante's teacher/mentor; Guy Pearce (LA Confidential) is brilliant as the villain who you will enjoy hating from nearly the start of the film. Jim Caviezel has put a Dante on the screen that is worthy of the best of the "Count's", and his partner, played by Luis Guzman, is top notch as well. Luis Guzman has an amazing number of major films that he has been a part of, and he really deserves much more credit that he appears to get. He is tremendous in this film, and while not a main player, without him the film would have been diminished.

I would guess this picture was held until January to keep it away from the Oscar parade of hopefuls. This is not as heavy a movie experience as, "A Beautiful Mind", or "The Monster's Ball", but the film is great entertainment and is as good or better as some films that are being pushed for award recognition.

The fate of this film will largely depend on word of mouth from those who see it early in its run. Swordplay, betrayal, love, prison escapes, and some of the best revenge ever written and brought to the screen, this is a movie to be enjoyed.

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Summary: Wow! Fun, edge-of-seat thriller with great plot
Review: Brilliantly casted! What a treat to watch such a wonderful cast perform a classic in a breathtaking location. Read the book first - Dumas' real plot gets a bit lost in the excitement - but the ride is worth it. You MUST see this on the big screen. Entertainment at its best!