Lemony Snicket's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' book series was a very popular book series among family and friends when in school, and the books were also very popular back then full stop. Found myself very much enjoying the 2004 film, which has actually gotten better for me overtime and Jim Carrey's Olaf has grown on me and not as silly as he first appeared. So when hearing that there was a series that had adapted all the books instead of cramming three books in one film, a large part was very excited.
Part of me was praying that 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' would work, considering the source material and Neil Patrick Harris sounded like inspired casting. Was also a bit nervous, hoping that big potential would be lived it. The first part of "The Bad Beginning", adapting the first book of the 13-book series, didn't quite meet let alone exceed very high expectations but it far from dashed them and was a good stab on the whole. Not everything worked, then again the series was just finding its feet which was the slight feeling that the book itself had too, but most things did.
"The Bad Beginning: Part 1" kicks off with a highly imaginative and beautifully designed opening credits sequence, and the tone of the story is established well with the viewer like the book being reminded that the events that would follow would be far from happy in narration form. The grim mysteriousness being something that was present throughout the whole of this adaptation of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'.
It looks great, with a very unique sense of period and a deliciously dark atmosphere. The photography is both beautiful and eerie and of the production design Count Olaf's home is the standout, the exterior eerily dilapidated (as described in the book) and the interior reinforces even more how vile a person Count Olaf is. The music is also a good match for the atmosphere and the story sets up these unfortunate events mostly with a mysteriousness and intrigue. Barry Sonenfeld brings the same atmosphere here as in his two 'The Addams Family' films, that is meant in a good way.
Having watched "The Bad Beginning: Part 1", and the whole series overall too, Neil Patrick Harris came over as a very interesting though atypical choice for Olaf hearing of the casting initially and, even though the other episodes would showcase his talents even more (when Olaf gets even more evil and outlandish) he is a wonderful mix of fun and sinister right from his very first appearance. Of the three children, Malina Weissman fares best as Violet, did prefer Sunny in the film adaptation though. Joan Cusack makes a nice brief appearance and Patrick Warburton is wonderfully deadpan and enigmatic. Did initially think that his narration over-explained and was used too much in the series and it did take some getting used to here, before reminding myself that Snicket himself plays a very major role as narrator in the books too, both to move the story forward and interrupt proceedings to remind us of further doom.
Although this is just the beginning and just set up, not everything worked for me. The pacing can drag a little, with it finding a while to find its footing. Some of the dialogue agreed does make one cringe, the narration did come over a little awkward in this episode at points.
Never throughout the adaptation found myself getting behind the casting of K. Todd Freeman as Mr Poe. Found him out of place and somewhat annoying.
Concluding, a few things that could have been improved but a far from bad beginning for this adaptation. 7/10
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