Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Netflix 10/10
I haven't read the books, but I am blown away by the show. This is one of the most hysterical dark comedies I've watched in a long time. Although as the recurring themes keep insisting, the humor is dreadfully true to life to be anything but equal parts morbidly funny and woefully disparaging. Awfully poignant for a series meant for children, and frankly, lessons that more kids need to understand if they're interested in paying attention. So I am glad that these books are so popular.
Outstanding acting from the entire cast, and the kids are no exception (which is much appreciated! the only thing worse than a bad actor is a bad child actor. jim carrey being the sole exception). These are some impressively talented young actors. I can never get enough of Patrick Warburton and I can not keep my eyes off Sunny. She's so ADORABLE!! :pikaluv: And somehow she manages to have exactly the right expression for every shot! This is either CGI tomfoolery or one suspiciously charismatic baby!
The adult actors make for some of the most impressive villains I've seen in a while. I really really need to punch these jerks in the throat, and that's how you know you've played an effective villain. The expert combination of clever writing and outstanding acting makes the character's villainy and the humor really pop. The comedic timing is especially spot on. I always thought Niel Patrick Harris was amusing, but I haven't seen him flex his acting chops until now. He really pours his heart and soul into Count Olaf, but he doesn't over do it like a certain overactor who has shared the role before him.
K. Todd Freeman's Arthur Poe is especially loathsome. His performance is exquisite. But by far the best of the young actors I've seen so far is Kitana Turnbull, who plays the hysterically malicious and utterly vile Carmelita Spats. The directors really let the cast go wild with their performances. It's utterly delightful!
But the more grounded role of the Baudelaire children makes Malina Weissman and Louis Hyne's performances come off as rather stilted and robotic. I believe this is intentional. The chemistry between the two is remarkable, but there is really only one scene I've seen so far where their exchange really moved me. Usually they don't say much at a time, so there aren't many scenes of extended dialog between them. But the characters, much like their performers, do an adequate job of working together. The Baudelaire's cleverness and tenacity make for good heroic traits, and the writers resisted the temptation to write them as cliche
gender tropes as many tv producers and young adult fiction writers tend to do.
The production design of the show is also fascinating. Understandably bleak and depressing, as fitting with the tone, but also remarkably unique and stylish as all get out. Mostly patterned after, perhaps, mid century aesthetics which I simply adore, the show's ruined interiors, stylish architecture and stark landscapes are a wonder to behold. The wardrobe and makeup lend the characters a cartoonish flair that is just grounded in realism enough to be uncanny and surreal, not to mention disturbing. The daily makeup session Harris must endure to become Count Olaf is remarkable dedication, but apparently worth it for a self professed fan of the books.
If there's one thing I can say I dislike about the show is the infrequent musical numbers, especially the godawful intro theme, which basically repeat the same word over and over again for far too long. And Neil Patrick Harris can
not sing. Nor should he. Only one number I've heard so far was even remotely amusing, but I certainly could have lived without hearing it. But poor songwriting and vocal performances are acceptable abuse for enjoying such an outstanding show. BRAVO!
And somehow she manages to have exactly the right expression for every shot! This is either CGI tomfoolery or one suspiciously charismatic baby!
