All right, I'm coming clean - I was a skeptic. I had seen the ads for Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and my interest was significantly below the keen level. This distrust was based on a multi-level foundation, not the least of my concerns being that ever since the horror that was Harriet, the Spy, I've harbored a secret hatred for any film emerging from the cinematic hellhole that has been Nickelodeon Movies. Furthermore, without having read the book series I am somewhat familiar with the novels, and I was skeptical of the filmmakers' ability to, with the threads that are the dark stories, weave a bright tapestry suitable for the viewing of young children.

Luckily for me and for moviegoers everywhere, Snicket (as it has come to be lovingly known) really proved me wrong. The movie was quite good in most areas, and excellent in some. It's truly a treat to look at: dark, gloomy, looming, and desolate best describe the filmmaking style. Except for a symbolic burst of sunshine at the film's climax, the entire film was grey and cold and wet - and yet this somehow endears it to the viewer.

The acting is unexpectedly good; Emily Browning and Liam Aiken are great fits for the pensive and brilliant Baudelaire orphans, Jim Carrey is as remarkably humorous as always, and cameos by Meryl Streep and Jennifer Coolidge are pleasant surprises. I hate to fuel the constant comparison between this and Harry Potter, but whereas the H.P. kids squeak by with precious little theatrical talent (hey, look, Daniel Radcliffe can shout! "Roonnnn!" "Hermione, NO!!!!" "SIRIUS!!!" Isn't he special?), these relative newcomers (hey, guys, let's not forget about Emily's unforgettable roles in cinematic masterpieces Ghost Ship and Darkness Falls) can really act. The film is so engrossing that, without the distractions of poor acting, you actually get wrapped up in the Mystery/Adventure aspect of times; I feel that with Harry, too often is the film enjoyed simply as a collage of nice pictures with little substance.

Overall, the dark film makes for surprisingly light entertainment. I would have liked to have seen the ending wrapped up a tad better, though... I understand that loose ends had to be left for sequels, but the film seemed to pretend that said ends were tied up, making for a confusing conclusion to the movie.

And about the comparison that I so do not wish to feed into? Lemony is twice, no, thrice as good. If you enjoyed any of the Potter films, see this at once. And if you didn't, see this at once.