Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Name: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Released: December 17, 2004
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 231 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 231 Ratings

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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 17, 2004 | PG

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep

Summary: Daniel Handler's popular children's book series about the misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans comes to the big screen.

Director: Brad Silberling

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Robert K. Elder

Exceptionally clever, hilariously gloomy and bitingly subversive. Read full review

Jennifer Frey

A gem of a movie, all its adversity and wickedness a backdrop for a story about the remarkable resilience of children Read full review

Premiere Peter Debruge

An astounding achievement in production design, an original creation so completely in tune with the books' macabre sensibilities that even the movie's (arguably) happy ending can't diminish its satisfying sense of schadenfreude. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Though rich in visual style, the movie is unbalanced in performances and script, ranging, from scene to scene, from go-for-baroque grandeur to strident excess. Read full review

Claudia Puig

A visually arresting and entertaining romp, but it lacks some of the sardonic humor of the popular children's books on which the movie is based. Read full review

Carina Chocano

What the movie lacks, alarmingly, is a shriveled black heart, or a big, red tell-tale one pulsing beneath the floorboards -- anything, really, that might infuse it with the sense of true dread that keeps kids coming back for second, third and 11th helpings of the willies. Read full review

David Sterritt

I hate to sound per-Snickety, but this lemon of a movie is a sadly unfortunate event. Read full review

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User Reviews

Savvy

Jul 7, 2011

Wonderful adaption of a children's book series: perhaps not as edgy or dark as the original material but still the same tone. The art direction is fantastic (the shadow-puppet chase during the end credits is a masterpiece.) Jim Carey is used to his best abilities--he acts the part of a badWonderful adaption of a children's book series: perhaps not as edgy or dark as the original material but still the same tone. The art direction is fantastic (the shadow-puppet chase during the end credits is a masterpiece.) Jim Carey is used to his best abilities--he acts the part of a bad actor but he is NOT allowed to go over the top or chew the scenery (as often happens when he is unleashed in kiddie films.) They child actors are truly wonderful: droll, thoughtful, serious but engaged. The direction is spot on: tone, performances and dark beauty are consistent throughout. One of my favorite SMART and ARTISTIC and FUNNY movies for children. Skip the other mind-numbing drivel that passes as entertainment for children -- and watch this marvelous offering.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

DanielleP.

Jul 14, 2006

Iit was realy good you should make a nother movie. I know a lot over people that want you to make a 2nd movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AndrewM.

Apr 12, 2007

Having not read the books I entered the movie without knowing what it was about. I was immediatly blown away by the production and the wit of the writer. I enjoy Jim Carry and think of him as a genious when it comes to bringing life to characters. Loved the story, loved the characters and Having not read the books I entered the movie without knowing what it was about. I was immediatly blown away by the production and the wit of the writer. I enjoy Jim Carry and think of him as a genious when it comes to bringing life to characters. Loved the story, loved the characters and really enjoyed the beautiful art production. Have got it out again and again.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

homer4president

Mar 13, 2015

There are a couple discrepancies between the book and the movie. Ultimately, a good representation of the Baudelaire's orphan story. If you are looking to read more about the tragedy of the Baudelaire orphans, then the books are a great place to start.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

CRL

Aug 27, 2011

There really is no reason that this movie shouldn't be an 8, 9, or even a 10. The acting is great, and Jim Carey makes a perfect Count Olaf. The plot follows the first three books pretty well... while admittedly pulling an ending from one and sticking it on another to give the movie a realThere really is no reason that this movie shouldn't be an 8, 9, or even a 10. The acting is great, and Jim Carey makes a perfect Count Olaf. The plot follows the first three books pretty well... while admittedly pulling an ending from one and sticking it on another to give the movie a real ending. The script is good. The cinematography is good. It's just... there's something that existed in the books that the movie failed to recreate. Maybe it's simply the fact that it's a visual experience instead of a mental one, and in that light everything 'unfortunate' happening to Violet, Klaus, and Sunny seems almost cruel when it's mean to be darkly humorous. The books were a comedy. The movie plays more like a drama, and that's it's weakness. It doesn't embrace the weirdness that Snicket embodies so well in his books, instead trying to play off of it for suspense, which ultimately ends in the near-waste of a talented cast and wonderful plot.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Sosmooth1982

Jan 3, 2023

Weird movie. Not a good movie or a bad movie. I guess you will just have to watch it yourself. It could have been a lot better of a movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

toms.

Sep 26, 2005

At no point in this movie did i think it was good.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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41	#41 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
21	#21 Most Shared Movie of 2004