“Montecristo”: Our Criticism Of The First Chapter Of The William Levy Series On Vix+

Preceded by the great success that gave him “woman-fragranced coffee” after his arrival at Netflix, William Levy seems to take advantage of this Latin American support to continue starring in productions in Spanish, directed more than anything to this market.

Thus, by the hand of his production company William Levy Entertainment and Pantaya, the premium streaming service for movies and series in Spanish, and the Spanish Secuoya Studios, the Cuban actor produces and stars in “Monte Cristo”, a series based on “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alejandro Dumas, which premieres this April 14 in Vix+.

William Levy, during the filming of “Montecristo”. Photo: Juan Carlos Lucas @juancarloslucas

-Similarities and differences-

The series tells the story of Alexander Monte Cristo (William Levy), a man in his early forties with a mysterious personality and a great fortune. Set in Madrid, this founder and CEO of an innovative new technology company that has shocked the world, including powerful businessman Fernando Álvarez Mondego (Roberto Enríquez), is actually seeking revenge on all those who betrayed him 18 years ago. years and ended up sending him to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

Alberto Olmo in a scene from chapter 1 of "Monte Cristo". Photo: Vix — Alberto Olmo in a scene from chapter 1 of “Montecristo”. Photo: Vix

The first chapter begins in the Cuba of 18 years ago. Here we see Edmundo Dantés (young William Levy) entering prison, totally abandoned to his fate.

Seconds later, we have an adult Dantés on the screen, now known as Alejandro Monte Cristo, from his position as a rich, powerful and thirsty man. What comes next is a constant trip to the past that explains what exactly happened to Edmundo and how he became Alejandro Montecristo after nearly dying in jail.

“How do they see themselves in twenty years? asks one of Edmundo’s youthful friends during his 25th birthday.Some know it very well, others like our protagonist and his love interest, Mercedes, respond that it is too early to tell. Meanwhile, a whiff of envy is clearly in the air when a young Fernando, after paying homage to the smile of his friend’s girlfriend, assures that the young woman will surely continue with Dantés.

Here is the first turning point in the life of good Edmundo, although he still does not know it.

Although it is not innovative, the way in which the story is told to us in the first chapter becomes attractive, going back and forth in time, although it is incredible that Edmundo’s youthful friends do not physically recognize him, twenty years later.

Likewise, the cybernetic moves carried out by Alejandro himself together with Haydée Hernández, his right hand, in a very “Mission Impossible” style, can be “amazing” but we understand that it is part of selling Levy as the star of the Serie.

Like every first episode, this one introduces us to the plot and raises the story and the characters, so it remains to be seen how the series develops after the six episodes that make it up.

Finally, someone from the past has immediately recognized Edmundo in his maturity but we will not reveal who it is. The lies, betrayals and revenge are served for the next chapter.