Perhaps the most notable thing about the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events is that it manages to combine seemingly incompatible genres, styles, and themes into one. It is considered a dark comedy, but it's a family show. It has a very strong artistic and romanticized style to it, yet it's goofy and silly. Although certainly not a show for everyone, it manages to pull it all off.

The story follows 3 orphans who travel from home to home as their distant, evil uncle Count Olaf attempts to seize their parents' large wealth.

Within the first 5 minutes of the first episode, the audience has been shown exactly what type of show they are watching; and it's beautiful. The set design, costumes, and cinematography are eye catching and filled with artistic design and masterful craft. Every two episodes or so, the three orphans get a new set of clothes to match the new location of the story, and I'm intrigued by their design. The cinematography seems to me as if Tim Burton tried to impersonate Wes Anderson: it's artistic, plays on strong colours and symmetry, but is filtered through a dark and slightly Gothic tone.

It can be risky relying on children's acting to drive an entire 3-season series, but the three main characters carry the responsibility well. Occasionally, their expressions seem little fabricated, but most of the time, they act well enough so as not to be distracting. The villian, Count Olaf, is played by Neil Patrick Harris, and is not as amazing as I had originally expected. He's goofy and over-the-top dramatic, but many other actors could have taken his place and done an equally good job. He is neither a problem for the cast, nor a blessing; he simply fills the role adequately.

But the acting is not why you watch this series; it's the style, the theme, and the "feel". While the series is certainly aimed at all ages, adults included, there is an unmistakable element of over-romanticized mystery and intrigue throughout, especially starting in Season 2. There are secret organizations, codes, ciphers, information hidden old books, tunnels, balls, messengers, secret headquarters, etc. that are gently hinted at regularly. None of these mysterious elements take up a lot of screen time... they are simply dangled in the subplots to keep a sense of wonder and thrill of the unknown. It's a nod to the style of the books the show was based on, which let's not forget are written for teenagers. But I personally love that. And I think most people want to, at least for a moment, think there are secret organizations with noble people keeping the world safe, using tunnels and codes to communicate. It's unrealistic, but so romantic and youthful; it would be hard to imagine someone not wanting to be swept away by such themes.

As wonderful as that may sound, we are unfortunately torn away from this dream-like wonder by overly foolish or awkward directing and dialogue. Occasionally, the director seems to think he/she is directing a play, not something intended for the screen. As an example, in one scene, the villains are caught be the banker responsible for the children’s adoption, and as this banker starts blabbering in a monologue of some kind, he turns slightly away from the villains. They then slowly tip-toe away unnoticed. While we understand this show is not to be taken seriously, and is often over-the-top… scenes like this don’t serve any artistic purpose and could so easily have been replaced with something a little more intelligent. These scenes, however, are separated with very creative and stunning shots, lighting, and directing, so it's easy to forgive the occasional mishap.

But perhaps the greatest miss A Series of Unfortunate Events makes is that, for a dark comedy, it’s just not very funny. Perhaps some teenagers may laugh, but most of the jokes seem to be aimed at the adult audience. These jokes will make you grin at best, and cringe at worst. As an example, Count Olaf (Harris) occasionally breaks the fourth wall and looks and says something directly to the camera. In such a beautifully crafted world with unrealistic plot, this is more jarring than humorous.

The two problems with this television series may be too much for some people to handle, especially if they especially don’t like corny humour or "artsy" directing. But for those who can look past a few faults and open up their inner naïve imagination, A Series of Unfortunate Events will take you to a world or excitement, intrigue, darkness, misery, and mystery; and you’ll enjoy (almost) every moment.

My rating: 8/10.

I love this show, it's one of my two most favorite shows on Netflix. The style really is amazing and there were lots of times where it made me think of something from a Wes Anderson movie.

I feel like this is Neil Patrick Harris at his best as well, I feel like if anyone else was cast, it could have still gotten the job done but just wouldn't have been as great, similar to say the Harry Potter castings.

Even though I've read all the books, the show keeps me interested by adding stuff that wasn't in the books by giving us all sorts of twists and turns and I love how they do their pacing and humor.