A great movie. It's really very funny in the begining how it opens up. It's a great adventure movie. Alot of thrill and suspense to. I reccomend this to you.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Book's fans will enjoy, but too creepy for some.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9–10
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events was written by Nell Minow
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).
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- 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.
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
What’s the Story?
LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS begins as a sugary but slightly off animated tale about the littlest elf, but Mr. Snicket soon interrupts, explaining that this will be quite a different kind of story. Violet (Emily Browning), an inventor, Klaus (Liam Akin), who reads everything, and 2-year-old Sunny (Kara and Shelby Hoffman), who loves to bite things, are on the beach when Mr. Poe (Timothy Spall) from the bank comes to tell them that their house has burned down and their parents have been killed. He drives them to their nearest relative, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey). The Count puts the children to work and tries to kill them, but no one listens when they try to explain what is going on. But they finally get removed from his custody and subsequent guardians include a kindly herpetologist (Billy Connelly) and a multi-phobic grammarian (Meryl Streep). Count Olaf keeps coming back (sometimes in disguise). He wants the Baudelaire fortune and is ready to kill -- or marry -- anyone he has to in order to get it.
Is It Any Good?
They may horrify tender-hearted parents, but the Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket (pseudonym of Daniel Handler) are wildly popular with school-age kids. "These books are among the most unpleasant in the world," Snicket warns crisply on the dust jacket for the first three volumes, the basis for this film, "and if you do not have the stomach for such unpleasantries as a repulsive villain, a deadly serpent, cold cucumber soup, a terrible fire, and a doll named Pretty Penny, I would advise you to read three happy books instead." "Unfortunate events" is an understatement.
Some adults are genuinely horrified by the unabashedly creepy people in these books. It is disturbing to think of any children, even imaginary ones, being subjected to abuse. But Snicket's talent is in understanding his audience better than anyone past the age of 12 usually can. Watch how careful he is to create an atmosphere of menace while leaving what is, if you look for it, a very reassuring zone of protection around the children. Other than one slap, the children are never touched and they never appear to be rattled or upset. The very presence of the narrator itself adds a comfortable distance. And it is always clear that if the solution isn't found in one of Violet's inventions or Klaus' extensive knowledge from books, Sunny's powerful teeth will save the day.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Brad Silberling
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/17/2004, DVD release: 4/26/2005
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary situations and brief language
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/17/2004, DVD release: 4/26/2005
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, scary situations and brief language
Our Members Say
See all 86 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
A great great movie!
-
I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
exellent
I love this movie and the books. The characters are all unique and ive never seen characters like them in other books. who thinks of a baby liking to bite stuff and a girl who likes to invent things this movie is very intresting and stands out to me.
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
I wish their would be sequels!
This movie was fantastic, Jim Carrey's characters are hilarious. I only wish they would make more!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Worst Movie
This movie was probably the worst movie i ever saw. It's not that innapropriate but i just dont like it
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
READ THE BOOKS FIRST OR YOU WILL NOT GET THE PLOT
This movie is sad and depressing. You see the Baudelaire children in utter dispair when their parents die in a fire. Then, they get set to Count Olaf who is a phony, greedy guardian who wants the children dead in every possible way just to get their fortune or in this case their inheiratance. This film revolves around books 1-3 which are: 1. The Bad Beginning 2. The Reptile Room 3. The Wide Window This film is good if you like movies that are a little sad but funny in the middle. If you want to see another film thats cheery and happy than don't see this film. If you like films with secrets, deceptions, Italian pasta and secret organizations then watch this film!!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
READ THE BOOKS FIRST OR YOU WILL NOT GET THE PLOT
This movie is sad and depressing. You see the Baudelaire children in utter dispair when their parents die in a fire. Then, they get set to Count Olaf who is a phony, greedy guardian who wants the children dead in every possible way just to get their fortune or in this case their inheiratance. This film revolves around books 1-3 which are: 1. The Bad Beginning 2. The Reptile Room 3. The Wide Window This film is good if you like movies that are a little sad but funny in the middle. If you want to see another film thats cheery and happy than don't see this film. If you like films with secrets, deceptions, Italian pasta and secret organizations then watch this film!!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
11+
my friend read the series and thinks it's great
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
11+
my friend read the series and thinks it's great
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
11+
my friend read the series and thinks it's great
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
11+
my friend read the series and thinks it's great
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
11+
my friend read the series and thinks it's great
-
I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- 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.
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
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.
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
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.
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
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.
-
I rate this title off for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
this movie is poofterish
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Okay for 7+
Aside from one disturbing scene where a child is hit, most of this movie is creative and fun.
-
I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
crazy!
this film was good..... but wierd. this film is still grim for me
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
