Netflix Adapting 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'

I won't get to start this 'til later this weekend, but I just found out James Newton Howard did the score, and that little tidbit alone has me hyped, lol.
 
So far, it's good, but I must confess myself disappointed. Olaf is goofier than he was in the movie, and the kids acting is....not great. It's okay at parts, but overall, eh. Typical kid actors. The tone isn't captured from the books either- mostly humorous, but not enough of the black comedy.

Overall, two episodes in, I do enjoy it. But I was expecting more Desi from Gone Girl (in his creepy ways) and less of a Barney Stinson character.
 
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I'm one episode in and so far I'm loving it there's a few things that the movie didn't touch on that the series has covered. I didn't find nph more goofy than Carey so far cause I remember Carey trying to act like a velociraptor and having to take a 2nd reaction to the orphans parents being dead.
 
Just finished the first episode and I really like it. I think if you read the books, you'll enjoy it. Olaf is more evil and menacing than Jim Carey's.

So far they nailed the book better than the movie did.
 
Wait this was already out? Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.
 
I HIGHLY suggest watching in 3D. (for those who have a recent 3D TV chances are your TV can convert 2D to 3D - best 3D Netflix show I've seen yet)
 
halfway through and enjoying it. They seemed to have nailed the books better than the movie and I've been fairly pleased with NPH as Olaf.

Not a fan of the parents and Jaquelin subplot though. Seems really strange. Will Arnett is always a plus though.
 
Watching the first episode now. I prefer the Lemony Snicket and Mr. Poe from the movie.
 
Just finished A Series of Unfortunate Events. I loved the show, it's humorous and a great supplement to the source material, but it's missing something the movie definitely had- charm. That's what is missing, and as a fan of the books, the show, and the movie even, it hurts the show for me. NPH is not particularly menacing, save for a few scenes but he is indeed hilarious. The set design is like Pushing Daises meets The Addams Family, which is in contrast to the wacky-gothic set design of the movie (which is great as well.) So far, I would rate the show an 8/10 as a whole (gonna take off some points for a few things that are spoiler-iffic and the kids' acting being....not great), but a 9/10 for a source adaptation and having some great twists and references for later episodes / books. The movie is a 8/10 for me as well, it's a fine movie but a (understandably) piss poor adaptation.
 
I'm halfway through and I'm loving it. I have my problems, but for the most part, they got it. My biggest problems come from Harris and it's hard to not talk about him when talking about the rest of the show because Olaf is the linchpin.

Harris just isn't scary enough. He lacks presence. In fact, he's having some of the problems I feared when they cast him. Now, I think he gets the character and this Olaf is more subdued and the humor comes from the character than the actor, but I can't help but feel Harris's choices are from him having fun with a role and getting the opportunity to chew some scenery. And playing to his strengths as an actor and his comedic chops which is more awkward and not over the top (that half helps). I think this is also a directing problem too where Harris to some of the darker parts are treated more whimsically. But for the most part, I like him in it. The humor is at least more subdued and Harris isn't suddenly doing a jarring thing that feels so outside the character. When he breaks character as Stephano he was intimidating and non humorous. But I gotta say, they still haven't nailed Count Olaf. I'm just not scared of Harris. At least I'm not scared for the children.

And I HATED the damn fourth wall breaking from Olaf. That was bad and I don't get why the hell they did that. You don't figuratively wink to the audience in a story like this. That's talking down to the kids and us in a way, in a story where adults talk down to children. Say what you want about the movie but it never did this.

Warburton as Snicket is great, surprisingly better than I thought. And my God, Mr. Poe might be my favorite thing about this show. He is hilarious and I prefer him here to the book. Wonderful actor.

But The Bad Beginning was pretty much perfect and I loved it. They nailed it. The Reptile Room, while enjoyable had its problems. The third episode meandered and they dragged out the whole theater scene with a gag with Monty that as pointless.

All the expansions are wonderful and feels true to the spirit of the books. What I felt reading the books I feel like watching this whole show. Even the twist at the end of the first episode is interesting and I'm not opposed to it. It gives us book fans something different and unexpected.

I can't wait to watch the next half.
 
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I really enjoyed the show, but there were some episodes that could have been better such as "The Wide Window".
 
Without spoilers: at least as far as how he was characterized in the first book, how does NPH's Olaf compare to his literary counterpart? Like I said before, I'm worried that he'll be too goofy.
 
Olaf is much more sinister in the books. He says some darkly funny stuff, but overall (unless it is ironic humor), he's pretty straightforward and evil.
 
Finished it. I just loved this. Despite my problems, I finished it excited for what's to come and incredibly satisfied how this season wrapped up. It took 13 years but I finally got an adaptation I'm happy with and can watch when I read the books again. And I can't wait to watch it again. And will watch it soon.

I'll admit, Harris didn't become Olaf to me until the last few minutes. He isn't perfect, but I can embrace this more pathetic Olaf, and as long as it's coming from a place of hate, then I'm fine with it. But the kids were superb. They're Violet, Klaus, and Sunny to me.

Man, I can't believe how much I love this. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I'm so damn happy. It's been a while that I've felt this way after finishing a season.
'
 
Overall, I was really pleased. Very faithful to the books. A few things I was disappointed with, but really looking forward to season 2.
 
Just saw the first episode and it didn't really capture my attention like some other Netflix shows. I mean I'm not that excited to watch episode 2. I feel like it's missing something. Not sure yet what. I'll try to see the next couple episodes tomorrow maybe.
 
I think if I were younger or a fan of the series the show would probably click with me more than it does. It’s enjoyable enough, certainly not bad, but the tone and material doesn’t grab me. It’s too comedic to have any weight as a drama but the humor has no bite or wit about it. It reminds me a lot of Arrested Development, another show that was not bad but maybe not for me.

My only exposure to the series prior to this was the movie, which I actually quite enjoyed (even though it may not be a favorite of mine). I prefer Jim Carrey as Olaf. Harris’ affectations and style are very similar, but there was an edge to movie Olaf that made him seem credible as a threat. On the show he’s a bumbling idiot who only succeeds now and then because of how stupid the rest of the adults are.

Granted, I’m only two episodes in so my views may change. It’s one of the few shows I can watch with my family so I’ll stick it out until the end (that and the relatively short length). So far the only thing that’s kept my interest is Sunny. Can’t remember if they used subtitles in the movie for her but it does wonders in this.
 
I never actually read the books, but based on what I've read, Jude Law seemed pretty miscast as Lemony Snicket. Is Patrick Warburton a more faithful interpretation of the character?
 
I never actually read the books, but based on what I've read, Jude Law seemed pretty miscast as Lemony Snicket. Is Patrick Warburton a more faithful interpretation of the character?

Jude Law was nothing but a voice and his voice worked well. I actually prefer it to Warburton. Laws narration after the Happy Little Elf intro is perfect.
 
Never read the books. I'm watching "The Wide Window" now, and while I wasn't really feeling this show in the first ep, it has definitely grown on me. Harris as Olaf kinda falls flat for me, but Poe makes up for him. He's delightful!
 
I never actually read the books, but based on what I've read, Jude Law seemed pretty miscast as Lemony Snicket. Is Patrick Warburton a more faithful interpretation of the character?

I'd say the opposite. Warburton is deadpan, but Lemony is supposed to be depressed and world weary.
 
I liked Law as Snicket but Warburton is better. He captures a live action Snicket very well.
 
I like Warburton better just because Law was nothing but a Standard Movie Narrator to me. Warburton's Snicket actually seems like a character.

Finished the season. That twist with [blackout]the parents[/blackout] was a punch in the gut for this non-book reader. But I can't say they didn't warn me, lol. The ending kinda fell flat for me, but I do hope to see another season.
 
I like Warburton better just because Law was nothing but a Standard Movie Narrator to me. Warburton's Snicket actually seems like a character.

Finished the season. That twist with [blackout]the parents[/blackout] was a punch in the gut for this non-book reader. But I can't say they didn't warn me, lol. The ending kinda fell flat for me, but I do hope to see another season.

The parents thing was thrown in and wasn't apart of the books, so it was still a punch in the gut for me. But I wasn't feeling the parent story line.

It has been confirmed for season two. It'll cover the next 5 books and be 10 eps.
 

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