Question; when is an adaptation of a wildly popular and iconic childrens book series a risk?
Answer; when the subject of the adaptation isA Series Of Unfortunate Events.
The books are oblique, absurd, repetitive and relentlessly dark.
So how do they manage it?
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As it turns out, very well.
And faithfully to boot.
The television series devotes two episodes to each book, with the first season covering the first four.
This is an adaptation that does fan service right.
The film included both these plot points, but they were both buried in lots of Jim Carrey mugging.
The series, on the other hand, does not shy away from either of these moments.
Neil Patrick Harris walks a very particular tightrope in his portrayal of Olaf.
Elsewhere, the acting is just as strong.
It only means that humor never disguises just how dire the circumstances of the orphans are.
Its hard to predict how this show will be received.
Now its just a matter of seeing whether that risk pays off.
If it didnt, it would be an enormous, unjust shame.
Its an absolute treat.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events lands on Netflix on Friday the 13th of January.
