A Series of Unfortunate Events (Brad Silberling, 2004) Review

In a world where all films now aren't original (OH SNAP!), a majority of them rely on books in order to make adaptations of them. Film franchises like Harry Potter and James Bond are based on books and they did insanely well. Outside of Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, there's one book series that I enjoy and really wish that one day, thee is a film based on in. In 2004, my prayers were answered in the form of A Series of Unfortunate Events. How was it? Let's find out.

After the death of their parents, Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken) and Sunny Baudelaire (Mara and Shelby Hoffman) are left with a legal guardian to take care of them named Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). When they learn that Olaf simply wants to inhert their family fortune, they manage to escape and are taken to other members of their family such as their Uncle Monty (Billy Connolly) and Aunt Josephine  (Meryl Streep). All the while, Olaf is hot on their trails and is determined to take their fortune.

Look at that! A star studded cast. There are the above ones but also featured are Timothy Spall, Catherine O'Hara and Jude Law. Heck, there's even cameos from Dustin Hoffman and Lemony Snicket (the author of the original book who Jude Law portrays..it's confusing). Jim Carrey is a bizzare choice for Count Olaf but then I remembered that Olaf is supposed to be a hammy actor...just like Jim Carrey...just more evil! So, yeah! Good casting in this film...except I have no idea why Klaus never wears his glasses...which he always wore in the books. 

Something interesting the film did was, instead of adapting one book, they adapted the first three books in the series. It actually works well and they manage to tie the three stories together. it becomes one long story and definitely pays off. If it was just the first book, it wouldn't be as good since they cover it in about half an hour...you can't really stretch that for an extra hour.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is a good adaptation of one of my favourite book franchises and does the books justice. The casting is perfect since every character is how I imagined them when reading the books. I love the framing device of having Jude Law as Lemony Snicket. I don't know why but it makes the film that much more...good? It's not for everyone's taste though and only the fans of the books will get the most out of it...still...I wish they did the rest of the books. I would love to see an adaptation of the eleventh book.

Verdict:
6.5/10
I can see the potential and, while there are some great things, is only really for the fans of the books.