A Series of Unfortunate Events Review
Skyler Powers
Netflix has taken the world by storm in recent years with its cheap availability of popular movies and TV shows. While the majority of these available shows and movies are not their own, a fair share of them are Netflix originals. Some of the most notable Netflix creations include Orange Is the New Black, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Stranger Things. The latest series to join their impressive lineup is A Series of Unfortunate Events.
The inspiration for this new series is the beloved children’s book series of the same name by renowned author, Lemony Snicket. The series follows the misadventures of the three Baudelaire orphans: Violet, Sunny, and Klaus. After their parents perish in a fire, they are put in the care of the wicked Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), an unsuccessful actor, who has an eye on the three siblings’ inheritance. After Count Olaf fails to snag their fortune, the twins are tossed around from guardian to guardian as Count Olaf tirelessly hunts them down.
As the title suggests, each episode is filled with unfortunate event after unfortunate event. Do not be fooled, however, because the series contain delightfully dry humor. While it has its fair share of sad moments, the mood is livened with great one-liners, situational comedy, and dark humor. This series perfectly balances the line between comedy and drama. They blend together seamlessly. The entire cast’s acting bolsters the excellent story. Neil Patrick Harris is the most impressive of the stellar plethora of actors.
This series has enough dramatic depth to satisfy teenagers and adults while still having enough humor to entertain kids; impressive visuals will please all viewers. The series seamlessly combines Gothic and modern imagery, blending it into something unique and memorable. All of this is accomplished with impressive faithfulness to the source material. The first season’s eight episodes cover the first four books, which means that nothing is rushed. As of now, a second and third season are planned for next year and the following year, finishing the series.
All in all, this is a delightful series of awesome performances, great visuals, and a thought-provoking story. It is a must-watch for the entire family. In my opinion, this is the best book-to-screen adaption of the series thus far and it is just one of the many amazing series and movies that Netflix has to offer.
