Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events - ***1/2

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" is directed by Brad Siberling ("Casper") and features stars such as Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Louis Guzman, Catherine O'Hara and the narration of Jude Law. It tells the story of three children (Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Kara and Shelby Hoffman) who are orphaned when their parents die in a car crash, only to be put in the care of Count Olaf (Jim Carrey), a psychopathic D-grade actor who tries to kill then in order to gain their inheritance. Even as they run from him, he pursues them and sabotage's their efforts. Can they escape Olaf's clutches and live a perfectly normal, fortunate life? This is a movie that's hard to comment on much because it doesn't really have any strengths or weaknesses. It's a well written, well made and well directed film. There's nothing specifically excellent about it, other then perhaps its consistency. It is very watchable though. If there's one thing I can say, it is that this isn't really a children's movie, especially if you take into account the dark themes or tense moments. Alas, Jim Carrey bat 1.000 this year. Thumbs up.