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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

(2004, Rated PG, Family and kids, Starring Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Book's fans will enjoy, but too creepy for some.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 9–10

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Diverse characters, strong and intelligent children of both genders.
  • Violence:

    Peril, tension, and violence (mostly off-screen), some graphic images.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Some crude words.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Parents need to know that this movie may be upsetting to some kids. The children in the movie are orphans who are continuously mistreated. There are constant scenes of peril and tension; though most of the violence is offscreen, we see the aftermath. An adult strikes a child and there are other assaults and murders and an apparent suicide. There is one scary surprise and several shots of creepy creatures, including rats, bugs, bats, and snakes. Some children will understand that this is intended as macabre humor but others will not, so parents should be particularly cautious about deciding whether the film is appropriate for their kids. Other parental concerns include some very crude language "said" by a baby ("shmuck," "bite me"), and a forced marriage with a 14-year-old (predatory, but only with regard to her money).

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how we learn to respond to the unexpected, and the importance of having a Plan B (and Plans C through Z). Some kids will want to be reassured about who their guardians would be if something happens to their own parents. And families could talk about what messages they would want to read in a letter like the one from the Baudelaire parents and why books with such terrible abuse are so popular with kids.

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Our Members Say

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See all 80 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    11+

    my friend read the series and thinks it's great

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    11+

    my friend read the series and thinks it's great

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    11+

    my friend read the series and thinks it's great

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    11+

    my friend read the series and thinks it's great

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    11+

    my friend read the series and thinks it's great

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    JUST OK

    This movie is OK. But bare in mind there is lots of peril,sadness,and one bad role model (count olove) in this movie that is not good to let young children see. But children who read the book will sertaintly enjoy watching till the very end.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Um, This is a comedy.....

    Uhhh.... you people do realize this is a comedy, right? It's got some genuinely creepy moments sure, but for the most part, it's over-the-top ridiculousness. Now, it's not great, but it's fun, and you should not worry about your kids watching it.

  8. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Kids love creepy movies!

    I agree with your reviewer: there are scary bits and parents & teachers should watch it with the children, but it has a positive message, that we should use the gifts we have to deal with a world that's not always sweetness and light.

  9. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I agree with your reviewer: there are scary bits and parents & teachers should watch it with the children, but it has a positive message, that we should use the gifts we have to deal with a world that's not always sweetness and light.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 1
    I rate this title off for age 4 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    this movie is poofterish

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Okay for 7+

    Aside from one disturbing scene where a child is hit, most of this movie is creative and fun.

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

  14. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0

    crazy!

    this film was good..... but wierd. this film is still grim for me

  15. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message

    think twice before bringing someone 12 and down to this movie!!!!!!

    It is a pretty good movie but be warned: their are very violent,frightening,and intense images and situations. Count Olaf is a very,very,very EVIL Role Model and murders people for money

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    SOUE

    This Movie is as good as the series!

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Bad adaption, good movie.

    I must say that this movie isn't that faithful to the books. However, this movie is still really good, and funny in a twisted sort of way all on its own. Recommended.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    LOVED it

    One of my favs, i read all 13 books and wished there would be a sequel to this masterpiece

  19. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    pretty good on its own, but no where near as brillient as the books

    i actually really enjoyed this movie and happen to own it. there is a tiny bit of very mild language, (smuck, damn, and bite me.) but no sex or sexual refrences, violence, or scary images. keep in mind that it is a movie about orphaned children, and there are sevral murders that happen off screen. (nothing is shown) it is a good movie for older kids and tweens, but if you've read the books you may enjoy it more.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    I really like it no matter what other people say

    It is pretty creepy at some parts, but I'm sure 10 year olds have seen worse. They mixed things up though, things were in a different order in the books. Plus Violet was supposed to sign the paper with her left hand, not have it burn. Jim Carrey made a really good Count Olaf.

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