Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

“exceptionally clever, hilariously gloomy and bitingly subversive”

Robert K. Elder·Chicago Tribune

“Olaf is a humorless villain in the book. He's not amusing like Carrey at all. To which I would counter: If you can't let Carrey be Carrey, put someone boring and less expensive in the role.”

Desson Thomson·The Washington Post

“Director Brad Silberling has essentially made a Tim Burton movie without the weird shafts of adolescent pain. At the same time, Silberling's not a hack like Chris Columbus, and Snicket has more zip and inspired filmcraft than the first two Harry Potter films. The film's no masterpiece, but at least you're in the hands of people who know what they're doing.”

Ty Burr·The Boston Globe

“Jim Carrey is over the top as Count Olaf, but I suppose a character named Count Olaf is over the top by definition. I liked the film, but I'll tell you what. I think this one is a tune-up for the series, a trial run in which they figure out what works and what needs to be tweaked.”

Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times

“A Series of Unfortunate Events suggests what Mary Poppins might have looked like had Tim Burton directed it.”

Scott Foundas·Variety