“I’m a Count, not a
Saint.”
By Naiesha Thobe
“I’m the Count of Monte Cristo, but my friends call me Edmond Dantès!”
Recently, I had the pleasure of re-watching the 2002 version of the
Count of Monte Cristo. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen the movie,
but they do say that true classics never die out.
The movie’s based off of the 1844 book “The Count of Monte Cristo”
written by Alexandre Dumas père. Both the book and movie capture the
two main themes very well, those themes being betrayal and desire for
revenge. The movie puts a different spin on the classic, however, as it
contains the main plot but also throws in elements of its own. For that
reason I didn’t like the movie the first time I watched it. Being an
avid fan of the many-paged novel, the twist that the big screen put
onto it totally killed the whole thing. But, with the acting and
visuals, and even the added elements of a “desired” plot, I could see
past the movie being partly its own specimen.
From the beginning, the audience follows the adventures of a young
sailor with the name of Edmond Dantès (played by Jim Caviezel). He’s
essentially got it all: his job, good best friends, and a beautiful
fianceé. Edmond is charming and liked by many because of that, but he
is also an incredibly naïve nineteen year old. Because of this, he
fails to see the trouble brewing before him until it is too late.
This movie contains not only the aforementioned themes of betrayal and
vengeance, but it also puts a great deal of romance and action into the
story. Therefore, if I only rate it as a movie, and not as a comparison
to the book, I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10. For those who are the type
to read a book and be disgusted when the movie doesn’t follow it word
for word, I can’t say you’ll like this movie. But, if you’re optimistic
and able to see past such things, give it a go! I recommend this movie
for both the teens and older viewers.
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