The Bad Beginning: Part Two 

The Baudelaire orphans try and escape the grasp of the evil Count Olaf.

Director:

Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers:

Daniel Handler (based on the book series by) (as Lemony Snicket), Daniel Handler (teleplay by)

Stars:

Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Malina Weissman

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Neil Patrick Harris	...	Count Olaf
Patrick Warburton	...	Lemony Snicket
Malina Weissman	...	Violet Baudelaire
Louis Hynes	...	Klaus Baudelaire
K. Todd Freeman	...	Arthur Poe
Presley Smith	...	Sunny Baudelaire
Will Arnett	...	Father
Cobie Smulders	...	Mother
Joan Cusack	...	Justice Strauss
Usman Ally	...	Hook-Handed Man
Matty Cardarople	...	Henchperson of Indeterminate Gender
Cleo King	...	Eleanora Poe
John DeSantis	...	Bald Man
Jacqueline Robbins	...	White Faced Woman #1
Joyce Robbins	...	White Faced Woman #2

Storyline

The Baudelaire orphans try and escape the grasp of the evil Count Olaf.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s to 2020s | neil patrick harris character | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Mystery

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The hook-handed man tells Count Olaf that the cake is a little "lemony" and count Olaf says back "I told you never to say that word." This is a reference to Lemony Snicket, the pen name of Daniel Handler, the book's author.

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Goofs

When you see Klaus and the Judge standing on the stage in front of the chalkboard, you can see the camera that is pointing at the stage.

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Quotes

Count Olaf: Take these children to their room and keep them there until Friday. I have no use for them until then.
Hook-Handed Man: Except to cook dinner?
Count Olaf: We'll order takeout.

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Connections

Featured in The Dom Reviews: A Series of Unfortunate Reviews, the Bad Beginning (2017)

User Reviews

"Just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean it isn't so"

"The Bad Beginning: Part 1", that started off this 2017-2019 adaptation of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events', was a pretty decent start. It was basically setting the story up and setting things up for what was to come, and despite finding a few faults with it (namely pacing and not being able to get behind one casting choice) it didn't do too badly at all in that respect. So watching the second part of the adaptation of the book series' first book was definitely going to be happening.

And "The Bad Beginning's" second part turned out to be well worth the watch. In many ways it was the superior half, as it did feel more settled and there was more to it, it also progresses more in forward momentum. Again, "The Bad Beginning: Part 2" was not perfect, but there was still nonetheless a lot to like and enjoy and there is more than enough to make one compelled to seeing the rest of the 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' adaptation. Which is definitely worth doing so, even with stumbles along the way.

Occasionally the pace could have tightened, especially in the early portions, though generally the pacing is better here as there is more going on and more tension.

Did feel that Olaf's theatrical troupe, even for characters that called for theatrical acting, overplayed on occasion and not all their dialogue was as funny or as creepy as ought. The exception was the scene stealing Hook-Handed Man.

Like the first part however, "The Bad Beginning: Part 2" looks great. Love the uniquely somewhat ambiguous sense of time and place in a dark fantasy-ish sort of way and the deliciously dark atmosphere. The photography is pleasing on the eye while also being very eerie. Oh and that opening credits sequence is to die for, makes one want to dive in straightaway. Count Olaf's home gives one the creeps and the latter portions involving the play is a disturbingly fond reminder for anybody who's ever been in amateur theatrical groups. The music is also a good match for the atmosphere and the story sets up these unfortunate events mostly with a mysteriousness and intrigue.

Both the pace and dialogue are generally better here, neither perfect but the dialogue that Olaf and Hook-Handed Man have is a hoot. The narration is a little more natural, and serves as a not too distracting active role in the storytelling. Really liked Patrick Warburton's enigmatic and deadpan delivery of it. Neil Patrick Harris continues to be inspired casting, even more sinister and fun here even though the rest of the series showcases the character's evil and outlandishness more. The children, whose way of thinking, traits and hobbies are utilised more, are still fine, though always did prefer Sunny in the film. Usman Ally steals every moment he's part of. Mr Poe's casting is the only one that never did anything for me in this adaptation.

Summarising, very nicely done and an improved second part. 8/10

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 2017 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Sonnenfeld Company, What is the Question?, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1