Sick Product of a Sick System

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Hilarious well done film. I never read the books so I can't compare but it is still a great film regardless. Any negative reviews for this film are from people who have absolutely no sense of good humour and cinematic authenticity. They're probably just upset because they're alone and ugly.

I remember watching this on DVD rental when I was child back around 2005, and I absolutely loved it. The cinematography, acting, music, it was all so beautifully-made. I wasn't too sure on reading the books, but eventually did so - and I love them as well. Looking back on this adaptation, yes, it's not quite as perfect, seeing as how they tried to do the first three books into an hour-and-forty-minute film. And I would also realize that the scene in which - spoiler! - Count Olaf puts the children in peril on a set of train tracks never happened in the books, but I personally don't mind, because that addition was pretty awesome! But I still hold this in a special place in my heart, especially since it got me into the book series to begin with. Sunny playing with the Incredibly Deadly Viper is one of the cutest things I've ever seen! And the end credits, such wonderful animation and amazing score! This got me familiar with names like Meryl Streep, Emily Browning and Jude Law.Despite being a failed franchise, I'm glad that there's no Sequel Hook at the end, and it's left more open-ended, if not, hopeful. Works as a stand-alone. I'm now thinking of buying both the soundtrack and DVD.

This movie seemed almost too good for a nickelodeon family oriented film. I mean the cast includes Jim Carrrey and Meryl Streep for gods sake, which means at least the acting is top notch. Jim is so great in his starring role of count Olaf. He is both funny and cynically Sinister at the same time. He is of course evil and his actions prove it, but it's way he acts that is so perfect for Jim Carrey. The attitude that the count always has about him is just right for the kind of actor Jim is. And Meryl Streep!! Oh bravo! Streep plays Aunt Josephine, and she does it with such brilliance. The character of Aunt Josephine must be almost to the point of scared of her own shadow. Opens the door very very carefully and whispers through it, cautions the children not to do a lot of very basic things that anyone would normally do, like touching the doorknobs, not standing near the refrigerator, and not using the radiator. The writing for the film is pretty good, very good/clever dialogue for all the characters. The visuals are also very well done, the CGI that is used doesn't look cheap at all, very realistic. The sets are great too! Josephine's house and Olaf's house in particular look very well put together. I loved the children too, klause and violet are both very impressive for their age. The makeup, costume design, and hair-styling all deserves much praise too. I strongly recommend this film to all people, especially families with appropriately aged kids. 8/10.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004): Dir: Brad Silberling / Cast: Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, Meryl Streep, Jude Law, Emily Browning: The title sounds like the recent career decisions of Jennifer Lopez. Based on the kids book about trauma and tragedy where two children are sent to live with their scheming uncle Count Olaf when their parents pass away. He is really after their inheritance. The narration indicates that the content is dark but for a film aimed at families this is perhaps too dark. Count Olaf even arranges for the children to be hit by a train, which is disturbing for a film aimed at children. Lame plot becomes one constant pursuit until he tries to marry the eldest daughter in hints of paedophilia. Directed by Brad Silberling who previously made the dreadful Casper. Jim Carrey is a fine comedic talent but Olaf is an idiot that he even he cannot bring grace too. Supporting roles by Liam Aiken and Meryl Streep are too brief and repetitious. Jude Law voices Snicket who is never involving as a personality. The children are presented with as little personality as humanly possible although Emily Browning has potential to go further. The visual effects and art direction are the one area of major compliment but the screenplay is warped beyond repair. It contains a strong theme that exposes greed but in the long run the film itself is one big series of unfortunate events on its own. Score: 4 / 10