Count Olaf Review (A Series of Unfortunate Events, books 1-13)SPOILERS
Books: In the series of unfortunate events, there are many mini antagonists and little characters that might as well be bad guys by how absurd or uncaring they are. But the one character that was really the bad guy from day one, remained bad through and through, and died as a bad guy, was Count Olaf, and he was the only really villain that always was a villain. Through the series of unfortunate events he was always evil, and never hid it in the slightest, except maybe to throw off the idiots. He was sinister and cruel. And at first, he was mostly evil for being evil, and only to get the children’s fortune, but as time goes on, he hardly even mentions that fortune. He’s not some villain only in it for money, he’s much more dynamic that he might appear. He grabs whatever he can take, not just money. And as the adult themes of the story grow on the good and bad of people, it seems really fucked up that the evil guy is getting such a better hand than the children. He is greedy and selfish, and your not sure how he became that way. You wonder how he ever came so happy about taking so much. He has probably the most iconic look of the series, one eyebrow, shiny blue eyes, and a tattoo of an eye on his ankle. And he’s a little beyond the guy taking a fortune, he’s like a greedy kid, but with a force beyond others control. He contrasts best with the kids, and the characters around him aren’t bad either. And as he dies he actually does something good, bring Kit Snicket to safety, which some might say he’s an anti-villain because of it. But he’s not, nobody in these books are just good guys and bad guys, although that’s the masks they are trying to put on, except for him. He may do something good and care, but the lines between good and evil aren’t there in these books, and although Count Olaf sees himself as a villain, I don’t think he really cares ultimately as long as he gets what he wants. He’s dynamic when really thinking about things, but he still has a huge role to fill. He’s the main antagonist for thirteen books, and has tons of smaller personalities before that. And part of my rating is how well do they fit they’re shoes, and although really good, his shoes are a little too big for him, and that’s why he’s getting a four. But he still is a pretty unique villain, and has a touch of many disturbing qualities. I like Olaf later in the series, when he’s actually Olaf. He throws his weight around until the last book, where everything is alien, and he goes out with a conclusion very worthy I think for him. He’s possibly my favorite and even though I don’t think this series is defined by characters, I think he really held the biggest role. And I think some of the more twisted events around the series where characters die, is soon followed by this disturbing man, with his shiny eyes, and smile that seems like he just told a joke.
(Movie) A series of unfortunate events)Movie: Now, if Jim Carrey is playing Count Olaf, he’s obviously going to be more comedic. And for a theatrical performance, I don’t really mind. He’s still very creepy, and very menacing at points. You don’t have to question whether he’s messed up, he still bitch smacks children and seems ready to kill. But Count Olaf takes delight in the menacing things he does, to a point he almost is ready to get giggles over it, which Jim Carrey’s Count Olaf does. And Jim Carrey looks like him enough for me to feel like Count Olaf is really coming to life. Although, I didn’t really like Olaf’s fake personalities, so I don’t care if Jim Carry made those funny. And the fact that characters were buying the bullshit coming out of these wacky personalities were similar to those reactions in the book. I don’t think he’s as good as the book, but for a movie covering a character spanning thirteen books, I feel he really does make a genuine new version on the character despite all things.
Extra:
Deceased
Look: Shiny eyes, one eyebrow, tattoo of eye on ankle
Former member of VFD
Sets fires
Alias: Stephano, Captain Sham, Shirley, Coach Genghis, Gunther, Dective Dupin, Mattathias
Count Olaf gets a 4/5
