'The Vile Village' is still as entertaining and as suspenseful as the previous six books in the 'A Series of Unfortunate Events', the premise is not the most plausible one of the series but somehow it just about works because of Snicket's way of writing and that the mystery keeps getting darker, more mysterious and thicker. Making one to keep on reading the rest of the books, even if the repetitive formula and the behaviour of the adult characters frustrate.
Both parts of "The Vile Village" do very well with adapting the book (being one of the less easiest to adapt), staying true to it or at least capturing the essence of it while expanding upon the material. Neither are perfect mind, and "The Vile Village" is a slight step down from the previous two parter "The Ersatz Elevator" which to me was a little more suspenseful and felt tighter (its first part not as padded feeling as the first part of this).
Mr Poe, still my least favourite (one of the biggest understatements of the decade when it comes to book to show adaptations) character of the whole series, only seems to be in the adaptation to give character development to Eleanora and with their cringe-worthy dialogue together and not so natural chemistry not a particularly good job is done in this regard. Nothing is done to solve any of Mr Poe's negative character attributes and the adaptation never really did that.
Did think that the ending could have done with more tension and been less rushed, and that the best lines, interactions and moments never belong to the Baudelaires. They are competently played and they have continued to vastly improve but their material is on the one-dimensional side and come to think of it that was true throughout the whole 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' series.
However, so much works in "The Vile Village: Part 2's" favour. It looks wonderful, though one doesn't expect anything less from the series. VFD absolutely lives up to its vile, deliciously so, name, it is very much the dystopia that it should be. Absolutely love the opening titles sequence, it looks incredible, is so cleverly done and the music establishes what is to be expected of the series' tone beautifully. The music has suspense, wit and in keeping with the tone of the story. The dialogue has really come on on the most part and the dark humour and tension is much stronger than when 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' first started.
Olaf and Eleanora have immensely enjoyable moments in this regard. Snicket's narration is so entertainingly written and delivered if somewhat overused. The story is more eventful than the first part, the mystery intrigues more and the entertainment value and tension are stronger. The character interaction is mostly nailed, that between Mr Poe and Eleanora being a minority exception. K Todd Freeman didn't do anything for me in the previous episodes, still doesn't here and never did in the later episodes, just find him irritating and out of place. Neil Patrick Harris, Lucy Punch and Cleo King (really appreciated seeing Eleanora's role made bigger) enjoy themselves thoroughly and are great fun to watch. Patrick Warburton is great fun too.
In conclusion, not flawless but well executed with a lot to admire. 8/10
Both parts of "The Vile Village" do very well with adapting the book (being one of the less easiest to adapt), staying true to it or at least capturing the essence of it while expanding upon the material. Neither are perfect mind, and "The Vile Village" is a slight step down from the previous two parter "The Ersatz Elevator" which to me was a little more suspenseful and felt tighter (its first part not as padded feeling as the first part of this).
Mr Poe, still my least favourite (one of the biggest understatements of the decade when it comes to book to show adaptations) character of the whole series, only seems to be in the adaptation to give character development to Eleanora and with their cringe-worthy dialogue together and not so natural chemistry not a particularly good job is done in this regard. Nothing is done to solve any of Mr Poe's negative character attributes and the adaptation never really did that.
Did think that the ending could have done with more tension and been less rushed, and that the best lines, interactions and moments never belong to the Baudelaires. They are competently played and they have continued to vastly improve but their material is on the one-dimensional side and come to think of it that was true throughout the whole 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' series.
However, so much works in "The Vile Village: Part 2's" favour. It looks wonderful, though one doesn't expect anything less from the series. VFD absolutely lives up to its vile, deliciously so, name, it is very much the dystopia that it should be. Absolutely love the opening titles sequence, it looks incredible, is so cleverly done and the music establishes what is to be expected of the series' tone beautifully. The music has suspense, wit and in keeping with the tone of the story. The dialogue has really come on on the most part and the dark humour and tension is much stronger than when 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' first started.
Olaf and Eleanora have immensely enjoyable moments in this regard. Snicket's narration is so entertainingly written and delivered if somewhat overused. The story is more eventful than the first part, the mystery intrigues more and the entertainment value and tension are stronger. The character interaction is mostly nailed, that between Mr Poe and Eleanora being a minority exception. K Todd Freeman didn't do anything for me in the previous episodes, still doesn't here and never did in the later episodes, just find him irritating and out of place. Neil Patrick Harris, Lucy Punch and Cleo King (really appreciated seeing Eleanora's role made bigger) enjoy themselves thoroughly and are great fun to watch. Patrick Warburton is great fun too.
In conclusion, not flawless but well executed with a lot to admire. 8/10
