By Stephen Pytak 

     An excellent action flick based on the classic novel 
about kings and pawns and swords and screws.
     I haven't read the book, but heard there's a great 
deal of deviation. But in the end what's important here 
is what keeps our eyes glued to the screen.
     The story is classic, but there's a lot going on here. 
And in the hands of the wrong screenwriter or wrong 
editor, this masterpiece thriller would soon become a 
tragedy.
     In short, in the early 1800s, a sailor named Edmund 
Dantés is falsely accused of treason,  imprisoned in an 
island fortress for 13 years and left for dead by family 
and friends. But then he escapes, finds hidden treasure, 
assumes a new identity and seeks his revenge.
     The film runs a little over two hours - 131 minutes to 
be exact - but it's never boring because the screws keep 
turning. There's not a scene in here that's not driven by 
plot. But there's more to the film than backstabbing, 
revelations and more backstabbing.
     You need good actors to make this work and this 
flick's got them. I never heard of Jim Caviezel before this, 
but he's the main reason to rent it tonight.
     His performance reminds us that this is a story about 
character and experience.  When we meet his Dantés at 
the start of the film, he admits he can't read or write. 
When you take a look at Caviezel's face, you believe him 
when he says it. Caviezel, obviously an experienced 
actor, gives his character the wide eyes of the most 
inexperienced soul.
     But that all changes. As Dantés goes to prison, 
suffers, finds a mentor, learns economics and sword 
fighting, and escapes, we can feel his pulse at all times, 
thanks to this great talent.
     Here too are a few actors I know of and admire, 
Guy Pearce, of "Momento (2001)" and Richard Harris, 
who I remember from "A Man Called Horse (1970)." 
Both had  fun with their roles and it shows.
     This is also an action film which delivers a lot of 
cool swordplay. Another highlight is Dantés' fall from 
the rocks of Chateau d'If. I wonder if anyone in reality 
could really survive that. Just look at how high those 
rocks are. 
     The lighting and camerawork are also incredible. 
And for that I guess we should credit director, Kevin 
Reynolds, who made  "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 
(1991)."
     My favorite shot in the whole thing is the scene 
where The Count of Monte Cristo makes his incredible 
entrance to a crowd of guests at his mansion in Paris.
     It's night. There are lanterns on the lawn. Then 
fireworks. Then his hot air balloon comes down from 
the darkness. Trapeze artists dangle from its ropes. It 
lands, he steps out and offers the crowd one word.
     "Greetings."
     Dumas' novel will live on and no doubt be refilmed 
again. But I think this film version is the best we'll see 
from this generation, and possibly the next.