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Post by Very Funky Disco on Jan 31, 2012 9:49:23 GMT -5
Been awhile since I've last seen the movie - but, overall, I've really enjoyed it. It may not have been just like what happened in the books - but I still think it was a good movie, in its own right.
Pros: 1. I really enjoyed the setting and score, especially the Lake Lachrymose scenes. 2. I may be in the minority here, but I actually do like Sunny's subtitles. 3. Even though I don't imagine Olaf as the way he was portrayed, I still enjoyed it. 4. I liked that convenience store (forgot the name), which is pretty much how I imagine the store at the beginning of The Hostile Hospital. 5. I think the people chosen to portray Monty and Josephine were perfect. 6. Overall, I do agree with most of the actors chosen. I don't like Olaf looks quite like Jim Carrey, though. Also, Klaus should have been shorter. That's easily adjusted in my mind, though - as I just imagine him to be proportionately smaller. 7. I do like the train scene. Even though, the simplest solution would've been to just break the windows and jump out.
Cons: 1. Well, it would've been nice to see The Anxious Clown restaurant. It probably would've detracted too much from the overall setting, though. 2. Klaus should have worn glasses.
That's all, for now.
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Post by Alycia96 on Feb 16, 2012 22:20:03 GMT -5
Through each of its quirks, I adore the film. Mr. Newman was the first to sway my appreciation – His score truly embodied Snicket's world without fault, and captured its essence perfectly. Reading the books alongside the soundtrack is always a pleasure. The fusion of novels was appropriately chosen, as was the cast. While I concur that a few portrayals contrasted the books, it was neat to see the highlight of various characteristics. Klaus' aggressiveness, for instance, is a very genuine aspect of his persona – Liam Aiken simply chose to accentuate it more than Mr. Handler.
Speaking in visual terms, I cannot convey my respect! The set was crafted stunningly, and I'm sure it was conceptualized just as Mr. Handler had imagined. A majority of the writing accredited his own talents, especially so with 'The Letter That Never Came'. My goodness – its poignancy was such a lovely compliment to the novels' theme.
There will always be particular scenes in which I feel a varied adaption would not do harm. But, choosing to neglect such, this film has been and will remain among my favorites.
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Post by Dante on Feb 17, 2012 4:12:01 GMT -5
I have to say, it is nice to read a well-spoken positive opinion once in a while. For me the movie was a mixed bag, but it's healthy to read mixed opinions.
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Post by B. on Feb 17, 2012 6:57:43 GMT -5
Alycia96, your post makes me want to go and watch the film now! As for the movie it had its ups and downs. I though Josephine and Monty were fantastic, but it really ticked me off that Klaus didn't wear glasses. As for the possibility of a sequel, I would love to see one! I also think ASOUE would make a good TV show; we could have thirteen episodes each airing every week. I can already imagine the actors and the posters and the billboards and the trailers......anyone else agree?
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Post by Hermes on Feb 17, 2012 14:53:17 GMT -5
Fans of the books are often going to be upset with the movie because it isn't a perfect record of the books - but no film ever can be, and I think it's right not to try to be. The Harry Potter films, I feel, tried too hard - and failed, because you can't squash that amount of material into the time available. I really think that ASOUE handled it well.
Olaf's characterisation doesn't perfectly fit how he is in the early volumes, but as Alycia said in another thread, there is a sinister aspect to him: and the comic aspect does fit the way he develops later in the series. I think it's also good the way the VFD theme is developed from the beginning.
But, as everyone says, Klaus should have worn glasses.
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Post by Groge on Feb 28, 2012 17:28:41 GMT -5
A absolutely love this film but I will list some pros and cons anyway. Mostly all of my cons are things that annoyed me when I first saw it at the cinema but because I've seen it so many times now I've gotten over it and just enjoy the the film fir what it is. Pros: Even though Olaf is so different from the books Jim Carrey is hilarious and it made me not care. He was still pretty creepy nevertheless! Emily Browning is amazing and I thought she made a great Violet. Billy Connoly is a familiar face to me as I live in Scotland so good to see him on the screen! Meryl Streep as Aunt Josephine was taken straight out the book! Her paranoia was just exactly how interpreted her when reading TWW. Loved the letter that never came scene The references to V.F.D. Mr Poe was exactly how I imagined. Although a con at first the train scene is actually pretty creative and can see how it would might fit into the series if it were to be put in one of the books. Its something that Olaf would do! The littlest elf! Amazing opening to the film and captures the kind of writing of the books. The Last Chance Store I'm sure id be able to come up with more but I'll stop there for now Cons They messed up the order of the books! ( remember i said above though that I've accepted these things as i understand films have to be different) Klaus doesn't wear glasses!! This really bugged me. I think there is one scene, a flashback i think, wear he does but i don't see why they would leave something like that out. As soon as I saw Klaus go for that broken umbrella i was screaming NO!! I was like that should be Violet!! Although Liam Aitken made a good Klaus the way he was written did make him seem a little bit of a jerk. Then again his parents did just die. No peppermints or Zombies in the Snow I didn't like the train scene at first but don't mind it now The fact we found out how the fire started. Yes its a film and these questions need to be answered but that was one of the great things about the books. The constant mystery and unanswered questions! The montage at the end with Olaf having to go through all the things he put the children through. Yes its a bit of fun and a light-hearted way to end the film but there is no way he'd survive those leeches! It ended. All in all i will always love this film no matter what!
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Post by Groge on Feb 29, 2012 2:41:23 GMT -5
Groge - it's always nice to see someone else that enjoyed the film as well. I agree with every one of your pros and cons. Awesome! Yeah I understand why a lot of people don't like it but I still can't stop watching it. Oh! And another con is the eye tattoo on Olafs ankle. Its more of a normal eye rather than the proper VFD eye I'm watching it right now!!
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Post by Invisible on Mar 3, 2012 17:39:50 GMT -5
^^I believe the VFD version of the tattoo was not around at the time the film was made. So it's likely the filmmakers didn't know that it was upposed to look that way.
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Post by Dante on Mar 4, 2012 3:42:59 GMT -5
Actually, the V.F.D. version of the tattoo had been around for a couple of years at the time of the movie. I believe it was first featured in the U.A., which was first released in 2002. I don't know how long the movie took to make (it released in late 2004, I recall), but for all the shots of Olaf's tattoo there were (like one), I think they'd have had plenty of time to either fix it or get it right in the first place.
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Post by Groge on Mar 4, 2012 14:27:22 GMT -5
yeah, that kind of annoyed me. A simple little thing like that shouldn't have been a problem to fit in. I mean to us it is VFD but for the movie it doesn't matter. People will see an eye and that's all they need. Didn't have to make a more realistic version of an eye. It's like they hadn't even researched it.
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Post by B. on Mar 5, 2012 13:04:53 GMT -5
Curiously in a recent article ( ten good books that made bad films), it is described as: "Lemony Snicket's novels were packed with dark humour and dry wit that tickled younger audiences. Following the story of the three Baudelaire orphans, the story spans over 13 books as their distant cousin Count Olaf brings about countless tragedies in an attempt to claim ownership to their inheritance. The movie turned out to be a rather unfortunate event itself. The first three books were crammed into one film, with the plots being hacked apart and stuck back together. Although visually pleasing, the film is let down by their choice of villain - Jim Carrey, who decides not to bring the sly, scheming Count to life, but instead chooses to play Jim Carrey. The artwork on the end credits is very impressive though, if you can make it that far." I have to say I completely agree.
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Post by Groge on Mar 5, 2012 13:54:45 GMT -5
that it is completely true i must also say. However, there's no question that Jim Carrey is hilarious as Count Olaf even if he is supposed to be dark and not funny. I certainly find that although so different from the books it still makes an enjoyable movie. I suppose it would be better for people who haven't ever read the books.
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Post by B. on Mar 6, 2012 1:43:24 GMT -5
I agree, but I did find it annoying that plots were changed. One particular scene I really liked the addition of that didn't appear in the books though, was the train scene. It really bought to life the way the Baudelaires work together.
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Post by Groge on Mar 6, 2012 6:27:38 GMT -5
I agree.although it was made for the film it was something that could have been in the books. Its something Olaf would do and like you say, it shows the Baudelaires working together well. However in the books it states that by killig the orphans he wouldn't get the fortune, hence why he wants to marry Violet before killing them. So differs there slightly but still a great scene. Especially with a cameo by The Last Chance General Store
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Post by Dante on Mar 6, 2012 9:03:00 GMT -5
I believe that, in the movie, Olaf didn't know until later that he wouldn't inherit the fortune after the orphans' deaths - I think he only learnt the proper circumstances he could inherit under after the TWW segment. So the train scene made sense with the knowledge he had at the time - and I too agree it was a good addition to the movie, and really helped justify the structure they'd chosen.
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