When it comes to cult movies, I don't think this comes under the full meaning. I mean it was well received by most critics and the audience liked it, as well as making a profit in the Box-office. But some part of me thinks that this film is underrated. But at the same time it was like a guilty pleasure of mine. Many flaws and some strengths. It's much like 'The Prince of Egypt', it was good, but it doesn't have the recognition it deserves. But know I see all the flaws and that the book is much better. Why? Just read on to find out. For the first time, a film that has no obvious connection to cult movies is going to be reviewed on the cult section of this Blog. So let's dive right into A Series of Unfortunate events.
The plot is a bit contrived and a little silly(sometimes silly due to it only covering three of the thirteen books in the series. So you may not be satisfied unless you've read the books). Three children of remarkable skills(Violet, the inventor, Klaus, who can remember everything he has ever read and Sunny{still a toddler}, with teeth so sharp the can cut through anything.) The siblings are all shocked to discover that one day their parents have died in the fire. Now orphans, they are sent to live with their evil uncle, Count Olaf. At first meeting they are subjected to cruel treatment and slavery. Realizing he only wants their vast inheritance(did I forget to mention that they are billionaires.) they try to escape his grasp at every turn. Of coarse that is a grim storyline, but the film is just too light hearted for that
Now, the good things about this film is and it's only saving grace for the audience is the comedy. Jim Carry's over the top delivery, the garbles of Sunny translated into insults and the quirky characters around them Like their uncle Monty played by Billy Connolly and Aunt Josephine by Meryl Streep. The other saving grace in my opinion, is the Burtonesque look. It's not very dark, but the twisted, skinny, harsh colored world that Brad Silbering created is so well done, I actually thought it was directed by Tim Burton. It captured the look and feel the book was trying to get across. For the most part the acting is very well done, so props to them for that. The acting is very well done and considering who and what they were working with, well done to Emily Browning(Violet), Liam Aiken(Klaus) and Kara and Shelby Hoffman(Sunny).
And now for my problems. It is so different from the novel. As much as I love Carry as Olaf, the Darkness is almost completely gone. It cuts away from death when it happens and rather alludes to the death, like when someone dies the narrator is just, "you get the idea"(he actually said that when the scene cuts away from the death.) Also Olaf was never funny in the novel, he was almost pure evil, killing, lying and stalking. Not to say Carry was miscast, I now wish he was a little more evil. My other problem is the Differences from the book. Like shorter times with the other relatives, problems not being taken seriously and the ending. I won't spoil it and it isn't a bad ending, it just made it a stand alone movie in what should obviously be a quadrilogy. It ended on a high note and not much connection to the next book, leaving the audience satisfied with just one movie and not leaving them hungry for more. Another problem is the the setting. I have said the world looks good, but it also look's a little modern mixed with the past(steampunk anyone) I am kind of confused due to the 'fashion' they wear. And there that modern talk in what should obviously be the late 50's to early 60's. It can be funny, but is also quite distracting.
All those problems aside, I won't really recommend not watching it and it isn't anything special, but if you want a good laugh and you ant to start reading a series that is dark, depressing and an acquired taste.
Premise: 1 star(silly, but also very dark)
Direction: 1 star(very burton without the burton and well crafted to the silver screen)
Acting: 1 star( enjoyable, but can be quite deadpan and sometimes jaded)
Effects: 1 star(considering the use of models and puppets more than CGI)
Script: 0 star(dialog is a bit corny and not wholey adapted from the book)
**** stars(good for a few viewings, not the best movie you have ever seen, but could have been much, much worse.).
The plot is a bit contrived and a little silly(sometimes silly due to it only covering three of the thirteen books in the series. So you may not be satisfied unless you've read the books). Three children of remarkable skills(Violet, the inventor, Klaus, who can remember everything he has ever read and Sunny{still a toddler}, with teeth so sharp the can cut through anything.) The siblings are all shocked to discover that one day their parents have died in the fire. Now orphans, they are sent to live with their evil uncle, Count Olaf. At first meeting they are subjected to cruel treatment and slavery. Realizing he only wants their vast inheritance(did I forget to mention that they are billionaires.) they try to escape his grasp at every turn. Of coarse that is a grim storyline, but the film is just too light hearted for that
Now, the good things about this film is and it's only saving grace for the audience is the comedy. Jim Carry's over the top delivery, the garbles of Sunny translated into insults and the quirky characters around them Like their uncle Monty played by Billy Connolly and Aunt Josephine by Meryl Streep. The other saving grace in my opinion, is the Burtonesque look. It's not very dark, but the twisted, skinny, harsh colored world that Brad Silbering created is so well done, I actually thought it was directed by Tim Burton. It captured the look and feel the book was trying to get across. For the most part the acting is very well done, so props to them for that. The acting is very well done and considering who and what they were working with, well done to Emily Browning(Violet), Liam Aiken(Klaus) and Kara and Shelby Hoffman(Sunny).
And now for my problems. It is so different from the novel. As much as I love Carry as Olaf, the Darkness is almost completely gone. It cuts away from death when it happens and rather alludes to the death, like when someone dies the narrator is just, "you get the idea"(he actually said that when the scene cuts away from the death.) Also Olaf was never funny in the novel, he was almost pure evil, killing, lying and stalking. Not to say Carry was miscast, I now wish he was a little more evil. My other problem is the Differences from the book. Like shorter times with the other relatives, problems not being taken seriously and the ending. I won't spoil it and it isn't a bad ending, it just made it a stand alone movie in what should obviously be a quadrilogy. It ended on a high note and not much connection to the next book, leaving the audience satisfied with just one movie and not leaving them hungry for more. Another problem is the the setting. I have said the world looks good, but it also look's a little modern mixed with the past(steampunk anyone) I am kind of confused due to the 'fashion' they wear. And there that modern talk in what should obviously be the late 50's to early 60's. It can be funny, but is also quite distracting.
All those problems aside, I won't really recommend not watching it and it isn't anything special, but if you want a good laugh and you ant to start reading a series that is dark, depressing and an acquired taste.
Premise: 1 star(silly, but also very dark)
Direction: 1 star(very burton without the burton and well crafted to the silver screen)
Acting: 1 star( enjoyable, but can be quite deadpan and sometimes jaded)
Effects: 1 star(considering the use of models and puppets more than CGI)
Script: 0 star(dialog is a bit corny and not wholey adapted from the book)
**** stars(good for a few viewings, not the best movie you have ever seen, but could have been much, much worse.).
I hope you enjoy this review for I am travelling to America next week and therefore will not be able to write my next review for at least another two weeks and a half. Maybe I will meet some of the American fans during my travels(unlikely, but I like to hope).
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