'The Count of Monte-Cristo' Reviews: Film "brings both new life and stifling tradition into this arena"

        Alexandre Dumas will forever be my personal favorite author, but not until now has an adaptation of 'The Count of Monte-Cristo' has not wowed me. Trust me guys, having watched all the adaptations to date, this is by far the best and deserves the perfect score of 100% at time of this writing on Rotten Tomatoes. In this adaptation, which was released on December 3, 2024 by Samuel Goldwyn Films, "Edmond Dantes becomes the target of a sinister plot and is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After 14 years in the island prison of Château d'If, he manages a daring escape. Now rich beyond his dreams, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo and exacts his revenge on the three men who betrayed him." The ensemble cast includes Pierre Niney, Anamaria Vartolomei, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier, Laurent Lafitte, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Vassili Schneider. But what did the critics say?

Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films 

        C.J. Prince of The Film Stage says, "While these large-scale productions typically get the life taken from them by committee in Hollywood, this film’s stone-faced commitment to executing such silly spectacle makes for an uneven, mostly good time." Adding, "Unfortunately, not everything can be fun and games, and much of The Count of Monte Cristo’s final act stumbles as it leans into sappy romance and character drama. Part of the issue is that, for the most part, this film has no real interest in engaging with the source beyond materialist enjoyment. There’s a bit of hypocrisy in telling a story about an ordinary man who infiltrates high society to take them down using his education, wit, and sheer self-determination, then filming it in such a lavish way that you can practically see the Euros on the screen. But that’s where the escapist part of escapist entertainment kicks in; thus attempts to grapple with actual ideas fall flat and lead to a disappointing climax. For a good stretch of time, though, The Count of Monte Cristo is a prime example of popcorn fun, even if its filmmakers might have not intended for it to be laughed at as much as I did. But whether it’s for the right or wrong reasons, a good time is still a good time."

       Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter notes, "It’s a lot to take in at first, but Delaporte and de la Patellière are specialists at dishing out plot points both smoothly and expeditiously. The Count of Monte Cristo is the kind of movie where, after 180 minutes and many, many more plot points, you walk out of the theater without having felt the time pass. That’s a good thing if you’re looking for a fairly entertaining, swords-and-puffy-shirts revenge tale — and Dumas’ novel is probably the mother of all revenge tales. But if you’re looking for something with more depth and staying power, this polished adaption (budgeted at $47 million, which is huge for a French film) offers lots of conniving and scheming without anything more meaningful."

       Josh Parham of Next Best Picture praises the film, stating, "In many ways, “The Count of Monte Cristo” feels like a take that brings both new life and stifling tradition into this arena. The stunning imagery is a wonder to behold, impressive at conveying a grand scale that is arresting in its pageantry."