Pictures: Universal / Netflix
Netflix’s new Original has launched on January the 13th, and is based on the 13 dark children books written by Lemony Snicket. The story follows three unfortunate siblings, who after their parents supposedly perish in a deadly fire their family mansion. The kids are left a large inheritance which gathers the attention of their distant but deadly relative Count Olaf. The children from then on suffer a quite terrible streak of unfortunate events.
In 2004 the books were converted into a film starring Jim Carrey that covered the first three novels ‘The Bad Beginning’, ‘The Reptile Room’ and ‘The Wide Window’. The film follows the source material quite closely and pleased many of the book fans.
Obviously, the Movie compared to the new TV show does have some differences, as does any remake. For starters the new TV series will consist of eight episodes in the first season, that will be based on the first four books by Lemony Snicket, that’s one more than the film covered. Secondly, the actors were different, obviously, this is who the characters were played by in each adaptation.
Another major difference is the request almost omnipresent inclusion of the writer Lemony Snicket, played by Patrick Warburton, who does an amazing job of trying to dismay the watcher from going any further, but somehow does not succeed.
Casting – Movie vs TV Series
Count Olaf
In the 2004 film Jim Carrey was picked for the wacky evil role of Count Olaf that fitted his acting style very well. Neil Patrick Harris was chosen for the role in the new TV series and does a very good job of being convincing as the Evil Count.
Violet Baudelaire
Violet Baudelaire
Emily Browning played the genius inventor child in the 2004 adaptation. The role has been taken on by Malina Weissman in the new Netflix Reboot, and she does a very good job.
Klaus Baudelaire
Liam Alken played the also intelligent Klaus, who is very much a bookworm. In the second on-screen casting of the Baudelaire, he is played by Louis Hynes who seems to fit the role quite well.
Montgomery Montgomery
Montgomery Montgomery
Billy Connolly played quite a prominent role in the movie as Montgomery, the reptile-obsessed pleasant Uncle that takes the children into his hand after the first awful encounters will Count Olaf. Aasif Mandvi plays the uncle in the new TV release and does a great job.
Aunt Josephine
Aunt Josephine
Meryl Streep played Aunt Josephine, the ex-badass, a now very anxious friend of the Baudelaire’s Parents. Mystery surrounds this character that is now played by Alfre Woodard.
Mr. Arthur Poe
Mr. Arthur Poe
Timothy Spall played the somewhat oblivious banker/financial manager that is tasked with overseeing the sibling’s relocation to a new home. K. Todd Freeman takes on the role and plays the slightly intelligently challenged banker.
Plot – Movie vs TV Series
The first season of A Series of Unfortunate Events covers the same first four books although there’s one big difference. The big difference is that wedding scene, seen in The Bad Begining: Part Two was featured at the end of the movie. For the movie that made more sense to put it at the end as opposed to the end that the TV series will ultimately take a few seasons down the road. We also don’t get to visit The Miserable Mill in the movie either. Ultimately, the TV series is following the books whereas the movie tried to pick the best bits of the first three books and rearrange for the best affect.
