vfd?

[spatch]

Just on a whim decided to view the Series of Unfortunate Events film. Hadn't read the books, me, but I knew the general gist of things: I'd expected a nicely Victorian depresso storyline all Edward Gorey in look and feel, maybe some Dickensian-era jabs towards orphans and whatnot, and I did indeed get that, but I wasn't expecting such a visually beautiful film. Every setting was just gorgeous with many fascinating things to look at, every set bleakly rendered with exquisite textures and hidden details galore. The score was wonderful, too. The whole thing was almost beautiful enough that I didn't notice the repetitive, aggravating story (goodness, how many times must the children tell the Trusted Adults that the seemingly-trustworthy fellow is the evil Count Olaf in disguise? How many times must a character say 'Oh yes, there is a secret here, the one you are looking for' and then meet an untimely end before they can adequately explain it? And why do the adults suddenly believe the children All Along after one well-placed climax?)

Still, though, I think Jim Carrey's over-the-top performance as the "terrible actor" Count Olaf was just what the character needed, not having read the books. And the children involved do an admirable job, as does Meryl Streep as an overly-cautious aunt who lives in the most precarious house ever.

But the best part of the film are the animated closing credits. My goodness, I wasn't expecting such creepy and beautiful animation at the end of this film! The credits almost put the closing credits of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to shame -- I might even like them better than the Azkaban credits, because they're a lot shorter.

All in all, this movie is a perfect example of what folks can do when they set out to be Tim Burton and Danny Elfman without being Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, and the result, though lacking in depth, is richly fascinating to look at. One of those movies which would probably be worth a viewing under the influence of one's favorite chemical, you know. That sort of film.

Abbie the Movie-Going Cat watched most of the movie from his spot on my lap and he would like to point out that his favorite part was when I stopped the film halfway through to get up and grab something to eat.

Comments

[cheezdanish.livejournal.com]

I've been wanting to see this because, well, you know me and my love for all things Jim Carrey.

[annilita.livejournal.com]

Having read the books, not seen the movie, but have spoken to some kids who have: I guess they compressed 3 of the books into one movie. And since the books basically just repeat a very similar plot, I can understand why it would be all repetitive.

I would just like to add that I read thise: Abbie the Movie-Going Cat
as this: Abbie the Movie: Going Cat

And I have decided that I would pay $7 to see that.

"Puttanesca" "What did you call me?"

[gismonda.livejournal.com]

How many times? Well, there are thirteen books. I've only read through book eight, but things don't really pick up for me plotwise until book five or so.

Also, they through in lots of nice little foreshadowy tidbits (like the thinger that they find in the drawer in the burned out house at the very beginning) that really don't show up until much much later.

I agree with your assessment of Carrey as Olaf. The character in the book is over-the-top as it is. I was afraid that he wouldn't be creepy enough but he did the job nicely (nice eyebrows!). The film also handled Sunny's dialog well (which gets kind of irritating in the book for me).

sunny's dialogue

[rosalux.livejournal.com]

I love how her dialogue gets more and more wordlike until it is actual words, but the words are such big words that the dumb adults think it's still babytalk.

The things they did with the plot for the movie were...weird. Like, they did't make it less repetitive, or less episodic...they just sort of rearranged it for no real reason. It didn't seem to help or hurt.

Though you're right, the foreshadowing was good. & I really liked the framing on some of the images. And the credits were AWESOME. I was pretty disappointed in it overall but the credits are worth watching on their own.

In fact, just the credits from The Incredibles & Lemony Snicket would make a fine kid-engrossing short :)

[dcart.livejournal.com]

I am continually amazed that they refer to the for sale product as something like "a pair of unfortunate dvds". Or perhaps it's "a pair of unfortunate editions".

[karyn.livejournal.com]

we watched this on the plane back from amsterdam today. crappy screen and awful sound. but it was a cute movie. meryl streep was the best, i thought.