By: Ashton Newton Entertainment Editor
For a show that constantly warns you not to watch it, Netflix’s adaptation of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is hard to put down once you start. The eight-episode first season, streaming now, adapts the first four books in Lemony Snicket’s dark children’s book series.
The show centers around three orphans who are moved from guardian to guardian after losing their parents in a fire. All the while, a villainous man named Count Olaf is a few steps behind them in an attempt to steal their fortune.
Despite being family advertised and oriented, “Series of Unfortunate Events” is an extremely dark show, though, admittedly, with frequent comic themes. The show often reminds viewers that they are dealing with some extremely dark and sad ideas.
With Neil Patrick Harris’ comedic and whimsical performance as Count Olaf, it’s easy to forget how dark the material really is and it’s almost uncomfortable when something extremely dark happens because of how lighthearted the show feels at times.
That’s not to say that the show isn’t family friendly though, the three children frequently use science, reading and puzzle-solving to figure out mysteries. With their teamwork and cleverness, the three children are great role models.
The show begins with the first two episodes adapting the first book “The Bad Beginning.” The premiere episode serves as a fantastic introduction to all the main characters and some notable side characters.
The Baudelaire orphans, played by Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes and Presley Smith, are relatable and lovable from the first episode. Count Olaf on the other hand, is the show’s weakest link.
In his many disguises, Count Olaf feels more like Neil Patrick Harris than the character he’s playing. In chapter two, “The Reptile Room,” Count Olaf disguises himself as a lab assistant but he seems nothing like Count Olaf underneath. Harris’ performance does a bad job of bringing Count Olaf to life, especially in disguise.
The supporting cast is absolutely fantastic. Count Olaf’s troupe of henchmen provide excellent comic relief and Mr. Poe’s lovable obliviousness was enjoyably frustrating.
Another highlight of the show was the quirky art style. The show’s art style boasts strong colors, retro settings and unconventional camerawork that give it the feel of a Wes Anderson film. The cinematography does a great job translating the illustrations of the novels to the screen.
Giving two hours per book allows the show to follow the books much closer. Small conversations between characters are given much more emotion and detail than they were in the 2004 movie adaption, which attempted to fit three books into a two hour movie.
The show did a great job of adapting many key aspects of the books. One such aspect is the narration of Lemony Snicket, who was portrayed by Patrick Warburton. Each episode begins with Snicket explaining that it is his sworn duty to recount the tragedy of the Baudelaire orphans and warning viewers that there is no happy ending.
Warburton’s performance is excellent. Rather than just a narrator, Snicket is referenced in the show and is frequently present in a scene, breaking the fourth wall.
A huge flaw in “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is the tone. Partially by Neil Patrick Harris’ questionable performance as the villain, the tone of the show is extremely inconsistent. Mixing a dark tone with comedy can be done right, but scenes were often so mixed that it distracted from the subject matter.
Count Olaf’s henchmen, for example, are loveable and funny, but when a henchman does something twisted and then immediately does something loveable, I’m not sure whether to laugh or to be disturbed. This dynamic is present throughout the entire season and it becomes frustrating to watch.
When reading “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” frustrating dramatic irony is present throughout. This adaptation portrays the dramatic irony really well with the adults almost never seeing through Count Olaf’s disguises. The seeming stupidity of the adults is frustrating at times but it does well to convey theme of strength in children that is present in the book.
The Netflix adaptation is far from perfect but it is a huge step-up from the 2004 film. With compelling performances, a beautiful art style and good crossover from the books, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is entertaining and left me excited for the second season.
Contact the author at journalentertainment@wou.edu
7.5/10
+ Unique artistic style
+ Strong performances
– Inconsistent tone
– Neil Patrick Harris
