The story and style is engaging enough to keep interest, but the pacing can drag at times. I like the added scenes and storylines that fit perfectly with what was in the books. It's no doubt because the author of the books himself, Daniel Handler, was involved in the writing for the series. I was worried there'd be too much comedy or adventure and the dark style would be either overlooked or lost. Thankfully I was wrong and the dark tone is there. The one downside is that it’s stretched out to the point of annoying or boring in some parts to get the full screen time. A result of stretching each book into two-part episodes that are an hour long each.
The characters range from questionable at worst to really good at best. Neal Patrick Harris as Olaf isn't as good as I thought he'd be, but he gives a more threatening presence than Carrey. Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes do great as Violet and Klaus Baudelaire, but I think they hold back on their delivery. The Theatre troupe are really good in this and I like the young and energetic Monty, but the annoyingly crass Mr. Poe, his wife and the odd portrayal of Aunt Josephine evens it out. Poe and his wife especially irk me because they're complete a-holes in this. I know that's the point, but it's so overdone that I hate them just as much, if not more, than Count Olaf.
Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket is good, but he's in it a bit too much. He's giving a good performance, far better than what I thought he'd do. But he overstays his welcome sometimes, especially when he explains phrases. I know it was in the books, but we could have gone without them. Or shortened them somehow.
The style and effects mostly work with a few glaring exceptions. The lower budget and limitations are only noticeable in some places, but only really bad in the Lake Lachrymose scenes. The staging for the orphans sailing and the CGI for Sunny was Youtube quality by comparison, and not in the good way. Otherwise, the style and look is actually really good, and close to the books to boot.
Out of all of this, there is one thing you will not forget after watching this series. That theme song. "Look Away" is so irritatingly catchy and memorable. The series did something really smart, though. The song CHANGES the middle section for each place the Baudelaires are living, so you're tempted to listen to that song at least every other episode to hear the new part for it. Clever.
This is a weird series, one that most people would have to watch the first two episodes to decide if it's something for them. Or better yet, read the first book to see if it's something you're interested in, because the series follows it far better than the Carrey movie did.
I personally give it a 3/5. Good attempt, but some elements keep it from being great and need improving. Upgrade the effects, let the kids emote more, cut back on Snicket's monologues and make Poe less of a douche and it’d be a lot better.
A Not So Fortunate Series
The story and style is engaging enough to keep interest, but the pacing can drag at times. I like the added scenes and storylines that fit perfectly with what was in the books. It's no doubt because the author of the books himself, Daniel Handler, was involved in the writing for the series. I was worried there'd be too much comedy or adventure and the dark style would be either overlooked or lost. Thankfully I was wrong and the dark tone is there. The one downside is that it’s stretched out to the point of annoying or boring in some parts to get the full screen time. A result of stretching each book into two-part episodes that are an hour long each.
The characters range from questionable at worst to really good at best. Neal Patrick Harris as Olaf isn't as good as I thought he'd be, but he gives a more threatening presence than Carrey. Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes do great as Violet and Klaus Baudelaire, but I think they hold back on their delivery. The Theatre troupe are really good in this and I like the young and energetic Monty, but the annoyingly crass Mr. Poe, his wife and the odd portrayal of Aunt Josephine evens it out. Poe and his wife especially irk me because they're complete a-holes in this. I know that's the point, but it's so overdone that I hate them just as much, if not more, than Count Olaf.
Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket is good, but he's in it a bit too much. He's giving a good performance, far better than what I thought he'd do. But he overstays his welcome sometimes, especially when he explains phrases. I know it was in the books, but we could have gone without them. Or shortened them somehow.
The style and effects mostly work with a few glaring exceptions. The lower budget and limitations are only noticeable in some places, but only really bad in the Lake Lachrymose scenes. The staging for the orphans sailing and the CGI for Sunny was Youtube quality by comparison, and not in the good way. Otherwise, the style and look is actually really good, and close to the books to boot.
Out of all of this, there is one thing you will not forget after watching this series. That theme song. "Look Away" is so irritatingly catchy and memorable. The series did something really smart, though. The song CHANGES the middle section for each place the Baudelaires are living, so you're tempted to listen to that song at least every other episode to hear the new part for it. Clever.
This is a weird series, one that most people would have to watch the first two episodes to decide if it's something for them. Or better yet, read the first book to see if it's something you're interested in, because the series follows it far better than the Carrey movie did.
I personally give it a 3/5. Good attempt, but some elements keep it from being great and need improving. Upgrade the effects, let the kids emote more, cut back on Snicket's monologues and make Poe less of a douche and it’d be a lot better.