Starring: James Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Dagmara Dominczyk, Richard Harris
Directed by: Kevin Reynolds

The Count of Monte Cristo is a movie they don't make anymore. It's a simple swashbuckling tale of revenge, based on the classic 19th century novel by Alexandre Dumas (p�re). But there have been countless movie adaptations of the book over the years. How does this one fare? Not bad, actually.

The story is about two shipmates who stumble onto the Isle of Elba, where the exiled emperor Napolean is being held. One night, Napoleon secretly gives Dantes (Caviezel) a letter and tells him to bring it back to France. Dantes is assured the letter is innocent. Dantes's jealous "friend", Mondego, sees spies on this transaction and when they finally return to France, he secretly squeals on Dantes. The contents of the leteer become known, and they are not innocent at all. Dantes is soon shipped off to some faraway prison/castle, and Mondego steals Dantes's "exquisite finac�e", Mercedes (Dominczyk). Dantes is trapped there for 13 years, plotting his revenge once he gets out...if he gets out. With the help of a crazy old jailmate named Faria (greatly played by Harris), Dantes learns to read and write many languages, the art of the sword, as well as a secret treasure he has hidden.

Eventually, Dantes escapes, finds the treasure and returns to France. He poses as a count, in an elaborate ruse to gain the trust of the elite...then BAM! His goals is to exact revenge on those who falsely imprisonned him. Yup, that's it! A good old fashioned revenge flic!

I orginally thought this movie would be cheesy, but it was actually quite satisfying. Everyone dreams of revenge in some way or another, but we don't act on it. this movie is almost like a sort of therapy, allowing the viewer to live out his revenge fantasies. The swordfights are pretty cool, the scenery beautiful, and the acting pretty good. I think Jim Caviezel might have a bright career ahead of him. The film is fun, simply put. Nothing too serious or deep. The Count of Monte Cristo is a good time at the multiplex, but it is a movie that you'll probably forget the next day.

DroopyMcC
Nine