NEW TO NETFLIX | 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'
'A Series of Unfortunate Events', the American mystery-drama series currently streaming on Netflix is based on the children's series of the same name.
Consisting of eight episodes, the first season adapts the first four books of the series for television, with a cast line-up boasting the multi-talented Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton (‘Family Guy’), Cobie Smulders (‘How I Met Your Mother’) and Will Arnett (‘Arrested Development’).
Recently renewed for a second season consisting of ten episodes, Season Two is said to adapt books five through nine of the thirteen book series. It’s safe to say that ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ is a show you can and should invest in now.
It is easy to find yourself comparing this adaptation to the popular Jim Carrey film, thirteen years ago. His character, Count Olaf, became a huge childhood figure for many, and with Harris now playing the same role, it will be interesting to see whether audiences take to his version with the same sincerity.
The 2004 film only covered the first three books in the series. Thirteen years later, it seems unlikely that a sequel will follow to cover the rest of the books; this is likely due to corporate level complications at original production company Dreamworks, as well as the reasoning that the actors who played the Baudelaire children are now too old to reprise their roles.
As a result, it makes sense for Netflix to acquire the rights to the ‘Lemony Snickets’ series, adapting the novels into a television show with author Daniel Handler as an executive producer, and a writer on many of the episodes.
Whether or not you’ve read the novels prior to watching the film or the series, it is nonetheless an enjoyable first season that is not targeted exclusively to a young audience. It holds a very adult sophistication about it, improving upon the film version and giving the characters more room to develop.
The series may be considered a black comedy, matching the novels’ gothic tone with exceptional cinematic display. 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' approaches its mature themes with honesty and integrity, and proves to be just as endearing as it is heartbreaking at times.
One of the best parts of the series thus far is when Warburton's Lemony Snicket breaks the forth wall, speaking directly to the viewer; this enhances our appreciation of the direction, and reminds fans of the book series of the wordplay humour. Snicket truly is a guiding light on a journey through a series of unfortunate events.
Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Count Olaf (Harris) hold remarkable similarities to the show’s preceding film. Despite their appearance, they each bring a charming quality to their onscreen persona, reinforcing the show’s distance from the film, and allowing for further development and transformation throughout the series.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ is a show that holds its own on Netflix, and is a must for the whole family in the new year.
'A Series of Unfortunate Events' is available on Netflix now.
