The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

What went wrong

What went wrong? Dumas' novel is a wonderfully straightforward masterpiece
from which any third year film student could produce an at least halfway interesting movie simplely by following story line. This version is a typical "forget the story just add a few tens of millions of dollars of fluff and a couple of handsome faces and the idiots will rush to the box office." variety of film. Watch Richard Chamberlain's made for TV "Monte Christo", and you'll see how real quality can be achieved even on a "made for TV" budget. It rates a one only on the basis of its utility as a drink coaster. A function it began to perform less than half-way througn the film. July 3, 2008

One of the BEST ever made!!

I havee enjoyed this movie over the years and it is simply one of the best movies ever made!!! The story it self gets you pumped up lol. From getting screwed over and over, then he gets everything he wants, its just awesome.

June 23, 2008

Excellent -- a "must see"!

A timeless masterpiece! A great story with terrific actors, brilliant dialogue in a beautiful location. Both Dantes (Jim Caviezel) as well as his evil friend, Mondego (Guy Pearce) were outstanding. Also the close relationship between Dantes and the Priest (Richard Harris) so touching. And who could forget Jacopo (Luis Guzman)?! Everyone I have shown this film to (young to old) love it. You will not be disappointed! June 20, 2008

If you're expecting a worthy adaptation, shy away.

-WARNING, SPOILERS ABOUND-
I read the book a few years ago and i was completely astonished by the intricate and complicated plot. it was a great tale that wrapped up very nicely. The movie, however...a different story. Literally. The screenwriters seem to have made a shoddy, condensed version of the classic Dumas tale and greatly warped the original story. The main plot is there, and i greatly enjoyed the first hour or so in the prison. But after that...it cascaded downwards and did not once pick itself back up. Every beautiful weave in Dumas's great web of a story was gone. They presented a simplistic, diluted version and focused everything on the Mondego character and barely even showed Villefort or Danglars. Not only that, but one of the main themes of the movie was completely eradicated: revenge isn't a good thing. In the end of the original book, Dantes was left alone on the island, WITHOUT Mercedes and WITHOUT Albert. He was left alone, without love, because he chose revenge instead of living a new life. However, in the movie, all is happiness and glee as he lives happily ever after with Mercedes and Albert. Yay!! Candy for everyone! But real life isn't like that, and that's the picture Dumas was trying to paint.

In summation, this movie was a horrible rendition which was barely faithful to the book, eradicated many characters, made Dantes less dedicated and less intelligent, and warped the main theme. However, if you haven't read the book, i'd give this a four stars as a DIFFERENT AND SLIGHTLY RELATED story. June 6, 2008

Monte Cristo

Amazing movie. Jim Carviezel is a heck of an actor. Much better than previous, older versions of Monte Cristo. The best. Equally good as the book, which is more than can be said about lots of movies which are usually a huge departure from books. Great one to own and see again and again. May 12, 2008

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