| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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Look out Hermione....here comes Violet Bodelier!
by Idolsmasher (movies profile)
Jul 13, 2007
293
of
374 people found this review helpful
I was intriged by the promos. It looked like a Tim Burton film but, also like a Harry Potter film but, with something extra. That extra was a dark and humorously morbid mystery about exactly what the title suggests "A series of unfortunate events". I've been aware of these books by reputation for a few years and after watching this film I was soo wrapped up in it's world and characters I want to read them all!
The sets, colors, and quirky mix of modern with old never quite pegs down a exact time period for this yarn. I at first thought maybe the 30's, 40's or 50's? by the costumes and such but, then eccentric twists on modern day things like Convient stores and car radio's made me think hmmmm?.
Like Harry Potters bottomless array of amazing thought provoking young and old characters, Lemony Snickett's world is no less magical or a wonder to behold. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) better watch her back as Violet ("Ghost Ship"'s Emily Browning), the inventor seems to be far more creative in her skills for problem solving and with nary a magic wand (Think of the "Alias" girl in age 14). Her brother Clauss (whom, I think has photographic memory) is a pint-sized 'Think-Tank' as he is almost a Library in the shape of a boy containing practical useful knowledge to assist them in escaping the schemes of thier wicked actor Uncle Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). Olaf is a menace to behold but, I thought Jim made him more humorous than diabolical (like Prof. Snape is with the Potter films). He does play an odd assortment of Men in order to get control of the kids and kill them so he can inherit their fortune.
Yes, kill them!. It's this type of fear and morbidly dark plotting that really makes this more than a kid's film. While they are kids (I think 14, 12, and 2?) they are often way more perceptive and productive than the adults but, I'm sure that's the point. What I liked was that this film's showed them as educated, cool, self-assured, and respectful of each other and their world...which I hope is emulated by the intented audience of this series. What Harry Potter did for Magic I hope Lemony Snickett does for reading and inventing. But, unlike the youngest Bodelier who's talent is "biteing" that is one thing this film certainly never does!. |
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