Is The Count of Monte Cristo / Gran Cantante!! Worth Watching?
Honest Review & Verdict (2022)

📖 The Core Premise

The Count of Monte Cristo / Gran Cantante!! returns to the screen in 2022, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, Music genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Edmond Dantes, a young sailor from Marseille, is being dragged in chains to the Chateau d'If, a state prison. He protests his innocence, but the jailors laugh and torment him before locking him up in solitary confinement. A few short hours before, Dantes had returned to Marseille from a voyage at sea and been reunited with his fiancée, Mercedes. Her father, Pierre Morrel, promoted Dantes to captain as a wedding gift to the couple. Into the middle of this celebration came the soldiers to arrest Dantes. He is sure he has done nothing that is against the law, and promises Mercedes he will return soon. Then abruptly we realize that the story is being narrated by a bunch of high school kids, who are studying the book "The Count of Monte Cristo" in order to do a play. In their squabblings about dramatic interpretation, the kids summarize the more complicated parts of the story."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Makoto Rei feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Count of Monte Cristo / Gran Cantante!! worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Music films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Count of Monte Cristo / Gran Cantante!! misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of N/A minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.