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kalihaThis is our second go at trying to watch this film after the first one we rented was so badly scratched it wouldn't work after the first twenty minutes.
What's it about
The Beaudelaire children, Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Akien) and Sunny (Kara Hoffman) have the perfect life. Parents who love them, a beautiful house and a happy life. Until one day when there is an unfortunate event and their house is burnt down with their parents inside.
Now the Beaudelaire Orphans they are sent to live with their closest living relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). but is he the loving uncle that he seems?
Main bit of the review
Some critcs have (cruelly) said that this film is trying to cash in on the whole Harry Potter thing, but I don't think that's true. The two series may share orphans and fantastical events but ASoUE is a lot darker than Harry's world. And gets progressively more so.
Count Olaf is deliciously bad, you can really see Jim Carrey sinking his teeth into the role. Billy Connolly was a wonderful Uncle Monty, how he maged to keep going as the albino boa started wrapping itself round his neck I don't know. What a pro :)
This film would have fallen apart though if the kids weren't right. So it's lucky that they picked such good child actors.
But as well as the children trying to escape Olaf's clutches there's a little sub mystery involving spyglasses which was intriguing, but a little bit rushed, which was a shame.
Cinematography
The visuals were dark and slightly warped with a real fantastical feel to them, really evoking the feeling of the books. It had an almost-Tim Burton quality to it.
The special effects are as good as you should expect from a top Hollywood film, the snakes in particular looking fantastic.
Music
I loved the music throughout the film. So much so, that I'm going to try and buy the soundtrack this week.
Bits that I loved
Sunny. She's just great. Her little (subtitled) comments through the film were making us giggle like nobody's business. And her little facial expressions were priceless.
I also loved Violet's wonderful inventiveness; it's amazing what you can make with a couple of springs and a bit of rope.
Verdict
A little bit choppy with huge bits missing (which isn't surprising as it is three books compiled into one film) but if you're coming new to Lemony Snicket you'd never know.
You mark my words, those kids are going to go far.
A very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Final Score 8/10
What's it about
The Beaudelaire children, Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Akien) and Sunny (Kara Hoffman) have the perfect life. Parents who love them, a beautiful house and a happy life. Until one day when there is an unfortunate event and their house is burnt down with their parents inside.
Now the Beaudelaire Orphans they are sent to live with their closest living relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). but is he the loving uncle that he seems?
Main bit of the review
Some critcs have (cruelly) said that this film is trying to cash in on the whole Harry Potter thing, but I don't think that's true. The two series may share orphans and fantastical events but ASoUE is a lot darker than Harry's world. And gets progressively more so.
Count Olaf is deliciously bad, you can really see Jim Carrey sinking his teeth into the role. Billy Connolly was a wonderful Uncle Monty, how he maged to keep going as the albino boa started wrapping itself round his neck I don't know. What a pro :)
This film would have fallen apart though if the kids weren't right. So it's lucky that they picked such good child actors.
But as well as the children trying to escape Olaf's clutches there's a little sub mystery involving spyglasses which was intriguing, but a little bit rushed, which was a shame.
Cinematography
The visuals were dark and slightly warped with a real fantastical feel to them, really evoking the feeling of the books. It had an almost-Tim Burton quality to it.
The special effects are as good as you should expect from a top Hollywood film, the snakes in particular looking fantastic.
Music
I loved the music throughout the film. So much so, that I'm going to try and buy the soundtrack this week.
Bits that I loved
Sunny. She's just great. Her little (subtitled) comments through the film were making us giggle like nobody's business. And her little facial expressions were priceless.
I also loved Violet's wonderful inventiveness; it's amazing what you can make with a couple of springs and a bit of rope.
Verdict
A little bit choppy with huge bits missing (which isn't surprising as it is three books compiled into one film) but if you're coming new to Lemony Snicket you'd never know.
You mark my words, those kids are going to go far.
A very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Final Score 8/10
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Date: Monday, September 19th, 2005 10:57 am (UTC)agreed. i just rented this a couple weeks ago, actually. i wanted to see it in the theatre but i didn't get a chance to, it was gone fast! i read the books quite a long while ago, so it was really nice to be refreshed by such a good movie. i didn't mind the missing bits too much, and i agree the spyglass mystery was a little rushed, but at least it was there! the kids were so amazingly adorable. all of them!
(no subject)
Date: Monday, September 19th, 2005 10:59 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: Monday, September 19th, 2005 08:10 pm (UTC)