The Story
Series of Unfortunate Events Makes Fortunate Viewing Experience
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a must-see for people of all ages. Featuring an excellent cast, amazing sets, and bizarre costumes, it will surely appeal to the child within.
Jim Carrey plays Count Olaf, the evil villain who adopts the Baudelaire children after their fabulously wealthy parents die, and attempts, through a series of truly unfortunate events, to rob them of their enormous inheritance. After the more serious roles that he recently played in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Majestic, in this film Carrey returns to the eccentric actor we know and love.
Although in some roles Carrey has been accused of going over the edge and being somewhat obnoxious, he nails the part of Count Olaf. Whether he is grinning evilly as his adopted children are about to be run over by a train, wickedly planning a wedding between himself and fourteen-year-old Violet, or being devoured by vicious leeches, he never fails to entertain.
Despite Carrey’s impressive performance, he does not outdo the three young actors who play the Baudelaire children. Violet, played by Emily Browning, is one of the best-fourteen yearold inventors in the world. Liam Aiken plays her younger brother Klaus, who is a child genius due to having read nearly every book ever written. The youngest Baudelaire child is a baby named Sunny, played jointly by Kara and Shelby Hoffman. She is distinguished by her extremely sharp teeth, which allow her to bite as forcefully, or perhaps more so, as a saber tooth tiger.
For those of you who have no time for childish adventures, intriguing mysteries, and narrow escapes, fear not, Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events still has something for you (assuming you are a female or a gay man). Jude Law plays the part of Lemony Snicket. Although, sadly, we never get a close look at him, he narrates the entire movie, and his voice is scarcely less scintillating than his physique.
There is still plenty of time before school starts, so do yourself a favor and go see this movie, or at least read the books upon which it is based.