SERIES REVIEW – Daniel Handler’s book series is one of the most popular children’s book, that is probably setup as the most depressing work of fiction in mankind, or at least that is something that it tries to be, especially for a children’s book. The series was to be fully adapted as a next big cinematic franchise and the first movie in the early 2000s movie starring Jim Carrey as Count Olaf was released.

While it was somewhat successful, it never got a sequel, and according to the author of the books the movie franchise went off the rails due to corporate shakeups. So there was not much hope of this highly successful book franchise making it fully to the silver screen. It took many years, but Netflix setup a meeting with the author, and an unrestricted version was created.

While Jude Law and Jim Carrey were the “stars” of the movie adaptation, the series can have a more robust cast, and to be honest, better actors for the roles on the show. While the film tried to condense three books into a mere 107 minutes, the Netflix version has all the time it needs to breathe, and create memorable characters, and scenes that are way darker than compared to the original movie.

Is it better than the movie though with its long running time of eight hours (the total season), or does it overstays its welcome? Even with the new direction, and great actors such as Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Cobie Smulders, and Will Arnett. Let’s find out!

Look away! Look Away!

The narrator of the series is called Lemony Snicket, a detective tracking the fate of the Baudelaire children, who go through all sorts of miserable adventures. Snicket constantly breaks the fourth wall, explains expressions, plus also has its story arc outside of the main plot. Snicket played by Warburton who is a hit or miss, as I’ll keep thinking Joe from Family Guy is speaking to me, and it took a couple of episodes to knock-off that effect.

After that, his voice is perfect for the deadpan seriousness and melancholy the series tries to convey. He’s also a bit more active player compared to the books, and especially to the movie. We then move on to the three children, who are okay in the series, to be honest. Due to the repetitive nature of the first few books, the actors and their roles go through the usual motions. Only by the end do the actors finally get some creativity, and freedom to work the scenes, as the last two episodes are not a repeat of the general arcs of the previous episodes. Of course, the kids are not horrible; they are just okay.

Now onto the most central role, and possibly the greatest controversial moment of this article. I liked Neil Patrick Harris more as Count Olaf than Jim Carrey. Sure Jim Carrey is a fun comedic actor, but other than Cable Guy he never comes off as a menacing “Uncle” in the movie (as far as I remember), while Patrick comes off frightening at times. He also had a better costume designer, as the costumes for his disguises are better, and Patrick can do an assortment of accents, that I don’t believe Carrey did in the movie.

We also get Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders in two roles that would be too spoilers to name in this review, but their roles are significant, and tragic at the same time.

A dreadful story

The story is full of mystery, and intrigue with twists. The main plot is how the Baudelaires try to survive against Count Olaf’s plots to take over the fortunate of the children that they inherited. Sadly the children loose their parents in a fire, and they are sent to their closest relative. Unfortunately, that turns out to be Count Olaf who wants nothing more than to get the money and to dispose of the children.

Throughout the series, they jump around from different guardians and people who try to either protect them or help Count Olaf. The show deals in small victories, but even those feel hollow during the overall storyline, and as Snicket says: There will be no happy endings here. The presentation and camera works are similar to Wes Anderson’s work, though it is more dark and sorrowful, the set design luckily does not come off as cheap. The locations are varied and colorful with a slight hint of depression peppered into the scenes.

Although I would not recommend the series for everyone, and even some of the children should not watch this show, especially the faint hearted.

Hanging on the edge

The season ends, with a cliffhanger-ish sort of finale, that will leave people in sorrow, much like most of this series has left me. Still, luckily the series has been renewed for a second season. A great epic from Netflix that will be a great addition to anyone who loves mysteries, and intrigue.

-Dante-