The first part of "The Miserable Mill" started off shaky in my view, Mr Poe's first scene being a good example of why he's my least favourite character of this adaptation of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'. Once it got going however, the episode became much better and was on the most part very well done. Anybody that liked the previous three adaptations (the case with me, though none of the three were exempt from flaws) will find a lot to like.
For me the second part was an improvement, more momentum, the story advances with more going on without getting over-complicated, it got to the point quicker and it started off more promisingly. Also think it is one of the best episodes of the whole series and the best episode of Season 1 (made up of "The Bad Beginning", "The Reptile Room", "The Wide Window" and "The Miserable Mill" two parts each). Even better than both parts of "The Reptile Room".
Some of it is a touch too heavy on exposition and Mr Poe still annoys me like crazy.
However, while the previous three adaptations had marginally more memorable production designs, especially the reptile room in "The Reptile Room", "The Miserable Mill: Part 2" still looks terrific. A very nice mix of dark and quirky in a dark fantasy sort of way. The opening credits sequence is wonderful, the visuals are eye catching and put to very clever use. The music balances haunting and light-heartedness very well and complements the atmosphere just fine. The writing is improving all the time, despite some clunky exposition here and there and not getting going straight away. Particularly the writing for Olaf and Dr Orwell, love their chemistry and they were writing and interaction highlights.
Also loved that Orwell's role is expanded in the adaptation, which fleshed her out more and made things that raised some questions in the book make more sense. The story is darkly tense and humorously quirky. The truth regarding everything to do with Klaus was not hard to figure out, even for those who have not read the book are likely to find it not much of a surprise. That doesn't stop the latter portions from still being entertaining and suspenseful as it should.
Despite the disguise being one of the series' most blatantly obvious, Neil Patrick Harris injects plenty of charisma, menace and fun to Count Olaf. Patrick Warburton amuses with his dryly, darkly witty narration, although some of the interjections ramble a bit and not always necessary. Catherine O'Hara has just as much as fun as Harris as Orwell, and Don Johnson and Rhys Darby provide lively support in their own way. K. Todd Freeman once again is the only weak point of the casting.
In conclusion, great. 9/10
For me the second part was an improvement, more momentum, the story advances with more going on without getting over-complicated, it got to the point quicker and it started off more promisingly. Also think it is one of the best episodes of the whole series and the best episode of Season 1 (made up of "The Bad Beginning", "The Reptile Room", "The Wide Window" and "The Miserable Mill" two parts each). Even better than both parts of "The Reptile Room".
Some of it is a touch too heavy on exposition and Mr Poe still annoys me like crazy.
However, while the previous three adaptations had marginally more memorable production designs, especially the reptile room in "The Reptile Room", "The Miserable Mill: Part 2" still looks terrific. A very nice mix of dark and quirky in a dark fantasy sort of way. The opening credits sequence is wonderful, the visuals are eye catching and put to very clever use. The music balances haunting and light-heartedness very well and complements the atmosphere just fine. The writing is improving all the time, despite some clunky exposition here and there and not getting going straight away. Particularly the writing for Olaf and Dr Orwell, love their chemistry and they were writing and interaction highlights.
Also loved that Orwell's role is expanded in the adaptation, which fleshed her out more and made things that raised some questions in the book make more sense. The story is darkly tense and humorously quirky. The truth regarding everything to do with Klaus was not hard to figure out, even for those who have not read the book are likely to find it not much of a surprise. That doesn't stop the latter portions from still being entertaining and suspenseful as it should.
Despite the disguise being one of the series' most blatantly obvious, Neil Patrick Harris injects plenty of charisma, menace and fun to Count Olaf. Patrick Warburton amuses with his dryly, darkly witty narration, although some of the interjections ramble a bit and not always necessary. Catherine O'Hara has just as much as fun as Harris as Orwell, and Don Johnson and Rhys Darby provide lively support in their own way. K. Todd Freeman once again is the only weak point of the casting.
In conclusion, great. 9/10
