Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Honestly I was very excited to see this movie. After binging the recent A series of unfortunate events show on Netflix and reading all the books, I was hyped to see this take on a series of unfortunate events. Unfortunately this movie has its flaws. First off, this movie only focuses for 30 minutes on each book, only long enough to give you an overview of what happens in the books. Of course I understand you can't spend that long on each book, but some parts of the movie weren't even in the book! For example, when the kids were trapped in the car in the train track, none of that even happened in the book. Overall this wasn't worth watching and I wouldn't recommend it.

RELEASED IN 2004 and directed by Brad Silberling from the books by Daniel Handler, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" chronicles events when three children whose parents perished in a dubious fire are delivered to the custody of their strange relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). When it doesn't work out they stay with their snake-loving uncle (Billy Connolly) and, later, their fear-plagued aunt (Meryl Streep). Emily Browning plays the inventive 14 year-old and Liam Aiken her exceptionally intelligent brother. Jude Law is on hand as the narrator Lemony Snicket.This is akin to a modern-day "Wizard of Oz" (1939) and is similar in tone to "Into the Woods" (2014), albeit without the constant songs. Carrey is effective as the creepy and malevolent Count Olaf. His performance is fittingly over-the-top and amusing in a black humor way. His mansion looks like it was designed & furnished by the Addams Family. Emily Browning shines as the winsome adolescent with an unbelievably cute face. She was 15 during shooting.People have criticized the film on the grounds that the adults repeatedly refuse to believe the children, who are always cognizant of Olaf's diabolical doings, but it smacks of real life. Haven't you ever dealt with a charming, but malignant liar who amazingly charms everyone around him/her (spouse, boss, manager, co-workers, friends, followers), except those wise souls who can see through the (obvious) façade?Overall, the movie's not great, but it's not bad and has some stellar moments. It gets extra points for creativity and uniqueness.THE MOVIE RUNS 108 minutes and was shot in Vancouver, BC; Wilmington, North Carolina; and (studio) Los Angeles.GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

for the fans of books, for the meet with Jim Carrey and Meryl Streep, for the performances of children. and for the Gothic elements. for me, who I do not read the books, the story seems be too darker and Meryl Streep the most important motif to see the film. Jim Carrey does a great job but this fact is not real surprising. and the mix of Edwardian and the 1950 atmosphere could be a good point. short, a film who seems be defined by influences from Tim Burton and late romanticism, mixing the classic smart children and the adults with obscure purposes.

I feel like this perfectly captures the ambiance of the books. The characters, the feeling, the overall haunting fog makes it magical. Jim Carrey gives one of the best performances in his career-in fact it is a marvelously star-studded cast - and the children were perfect. This has held up incredibly well and I watch it still. Even more to its credit, the show is unbearably bad and so the movie brings round the good feels again. I really feel like it's time to stop tying to re-make everything (and thus ruining it) and maybe just do a wicked sequel. I would be more comfortable watching Carrey reprise this amazing role than having it shattered and stomped on.