When you were younger you may or may not have read the Lemony Snicket book series, “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” In 2004, they decided to make a movie based on the books. They later, in 2017, decided to make a show based on the books as well.
It is a three-season show, with each two episodes telling part one and two of the story of one of the books. Some of the main characters in the series are: Lemony Snicket, played by Patrick Warburton, Count Olaf, played by Neil Patrick Harris, Violet Baudelaire, played by Malina Weissman, Klaus Baudelaire, played by Louis Hynes, and Sunny Baudelaire, played by Presley Smith. I think the cast was perfectly chosen for this show. Each person does an exceptional job at bringing their book character to life. The genre of the show falls under drama and black comedy, which is also known as dark humor.
In the show, three children are made orphans from the mysterious death of their parents, causing them to fall into the hands and care of a villain yearning for their enormous fortune. The villain does many terrible things before the children are finally able to be sent to a new home. Throughout the series, the misfortune of the Baudelaire orphans follows them everywhere they go, and so does the villain, Count Olaf. They constantly are fighting the battle against him and all his disguises.
I first watched the show when I was about 10 years old. I loved it then, and I love it now. It has always been a comforting show for me to rely on throughout the years. The show is filled with many dark and mysterious turns of events that will leave watchers intrigued. My favorite episodes are season two, episodes one and two. These take place at the Austere Academy, where they meet a few new characters that deepen the plot. I found the ending of the show very sad and eye-opening. I especially loved the character development of Count Olaf throughout the three seasons.
Out of the whole cast, Neil Patrick Harris took his role as Count Olaf to the next level. He portrayed Olaf perfectly. Overall, I think the director, cast, and crew of the series deserves a pat on the back for how it all turned out. When turning books into cinema, it can be tough to capture the same essence as the books once did, but that is exactly what they did.
If I were to suggest this show to anyone, I would suggest it to people who like a more dark but unserious watch. However, as the show says itself in the very first episode, “If you are interested in stories with happy endings,then you would be better off somewhere else. In this story, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning, and very few happy things in the middle.” By this, I am saying if you are someone who needs a happy ending the show is not for you.
The series is considered to be rated PG. I would agree with this for the most part, but there are some pretty scary themes and ideas talked about during the show, so viewer discretion is advised. I would rate this show a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
