The 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' book series can be criticised for being repetitive understandably and it is also understandable if people don't like that the adult characters are so easily fooled (and Count Olaf is not that unrecognisable in his disguises). Have read and heard this adaptation criticised for that, and can see why but it was inevitable. Personally like the books because the scenarios are fun and mysterious, Count Olaf is such a juicy character and the prose is clever.
Really enjoyed the previous three adaptations of the first three books, especially "The Reptile Room". "The Miserable Mill", both parts, does not disappoint, with for me Part 2 being one of the better episodes of the series. Part 1 starts slow but stick with it, regardless of any temptation not to, because once it gets going it's good fun and the tone, atmosphere and style of the previous three adaptations are here too and quite brilliantly handled.
As said, "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" doesn't get off to the most promising of starts. Mr Poe's (as annoying and inept as ever) first scene is just embarrassing in one of the series' worst written beginnings, his first line just makes one cringe inside to the bottom of the depths. It's a bit too exposition-heavy to start with too.
Was a bit mixed on Lemony Snicket's narration, the dark, dry wit is amusing and Patrick Warburton delivers it with deadpan aplomb it was not always necessary. Some of the interjections were on the over-explanatory side.
However, while the previous three adaptations had marginally more memorable production designs, especially the reptile room in "The Reptile Room", "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" still looks terrific. A very nice mix of dark and quirky in a dark fantasy sort of way. The opening credits sequence is wonderful, the visuals are eye catching and put to very clever use. The music balances haunting and light-heartedness very well and complements the atmosphere just fine. The writing is improving all the time, despite some clunky exposition here and there and not getting going straight away. Particularly the writing for Olaf and Dr Orwell.
The latter character in an expanded role that fleshes her more more, which was nice even if some may feel that everything with her is revealed too early. The story is darkly tense and humorously quirky once it gets going. Although Count Olaf, very poorly disguised though this time, steals the show, Dr Orwell, Charles and Mr Sir also make a big impression. The Hook-Handed Man is as ever a scene stealer.
Neil Patrick Harris embodies charisma, fun and menace, even in that far too obvious disguise, and Catherine O'Hara is a bat-out-of-hell Dr Orwell. Don Johnson's Mr Sir is full of mystery and foreboding and Rhys Darby is endearingly eccentric. Am aware that there is a fair bit of negativity for the acting of the Baudelaires throughout the series, for me they grew more confident with each instalment and "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" is no exception. Only K. Todd Freeman doesn't work, the series' interpretation of Mr Poe is widely intensely disliked and that is hardly surprising.
Overall, liked it a lot but the second part is even better. 8/10
Really enjoyed the previous three adaptations of the first three books, especially "The Reptile Room". "The Miserable Mill", both parts, does not disappoint, with for me Part 2 being one of the better episodes of the series. Part 1 starts slow but stick with it, regardless of any temptation not to, because once it gets going it's good fun and the tone, atmosphere and style of the previous three adaptations are here too and quite brilliantly handled.
As said, "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" doesn't get off to the most promising of starts. Mr Poe's (as annoying and inept as ever) first scene is just embarrassing in one of the series' worst written beginnings, his first line just makes one cringe inside to the bottom of the depths. It's a bit too exposition-heavy to start with too.
Was a bit mixed on Lemony Snicket's narration, the dark, dry wit is amusing and Patrick Warburton delivers it with deadpan aplomb it was not always necessary. Some of the interjections were on the over-explanatory side.
However, while the previous three adaptations had marginally more memorable production designs, especially the reptile room in "The Reptile Room", "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" still looks terrific. A very nice mix of dark and quirky in a dark fantasy sort of way. The opening credits sequence is wonderful, the visuals are eye catching and put to very clever use. The music balances haunting and light-heartedness very well and complements the atmosphere just fine. The writing is improving all the time, despite some clunky exposition here and there and not getting going straight away. Particularly the writing for Olaf and Dr Orwell.
The latter character in an expanded role that fleshes her more more, which was nice even if some may feel that everything with her is revealed too early. The story is darkly tense and humorously quirky once it gets going. Although Count Olaf, very poorly disguised though this time, steals the show, Dr Orwell, Charles and Mr Sir also make a big impression. The Hook-Handed Man is as ever a scene stealer.
Neil Patrick Harris embodies charisma, fun and menace, even in that far too obvious disguise, and Catherine O'Hara is a bat-out-of-hell Dr Orwell. Don Johnson's Mr Sir is full of mystery and foreboding and Rhys Darby is endearingly eccentric. Am aware that there is a fair bit of negativity for the acting of the Baudelaires throughout the series, for me they grew more confident with each instalment and "The Miserable Mill: Part 1" is no exception. Only K. Todd Freeman doesn't work, the series' interpretation of Mr Poe is widely intensely disliked and that is hardly surprising.
Overall, liked it a lot but the second part is even better. 8/10
