THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

Starring: Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris and Dagmara Domincyzk
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Running Time: 128 mins
Certificate: PG

Out ot buy on DVD 3rd February

Edmond Dantes (Caviezel) had everything, his first captaincy of his own ship, a woman he was about to marry and a best friend who would do anything for him, or so he thought. You see Farnand Mondego (Pearce) had always wanted Edmond's fiancé Mercedes (Domincyzk) and his jealousy had built up to such a point that he had to do something about it. By framing the trusting Edmond for a crime he did not commit and faking his execution, the way to the beautiful Mercedes was now clear. Destined to live out his days on an island prision, the Chateau D'If, Edmond and fellow prisoner Priest (Harris) plot their escape and Edmond's revenge.

Based on the classic novel by Alexander Dumas, who also wrote The Three Musketeers and The Man in the Iron Mask, this is another attempt to bring back the swashbuckler and it partially succeeds. All the elements are here. Grandiose settings, sword fights, the old mentor, the evil villain, the beautiful object of desire, the brave and driven hero, the betrayal and most importantly, revenge. All classic stuff and very well done.

Jim Caviezel finally fulfils the promise he showed in The Thin Red Line and delivers a commanding leading man. The real joy of the movie however, is the excellent Guy Pearce. With each movie he appears in he just seems to get better and better and in Farnand Mondego he delivers a villain that you will despise to the point that you feel like booing him every time he appears on screen. Richard Harris again delivers another exceptional supporting role, as you'd expect and Dagmara Domincyzk is one to watch for the future.

Director Kevin Reynolds redeems himself for his Waterworld disaster by delivering a movie that looks superb and really entertains. The pacing is spot on with the movie's only flaw been that the inevitable final confrontation is over too quickly. This is a fun swashbuckler like the ones they did in old days and it succeeds in breathing some new life into a forgotten genre.

'An Epic Reborn' featurette, Deleted and alternative scenes, 'The Napoleonic World' featurette, A look at the swordfight choreography, Interactive menu & Scene access