Netflix's A Series Of Unfortunate Events: 7 Ups & 1 Down

The Utopian Ups...

7. The Marvellous Music

A Series Of Unfortunate Events Count Olaf
Netflix

The opening credits of A Series Of Unfortunate Events implore you to look away, but you'll want to do anything but. Sung by Neil Patrick Harris himself, the opening theme is an absolute delight that perfectly sets the tone for what's to come. Rather gloriously, he also adopts the voice of whichever guise he'll be in for that episode for some plot exposition. Opening credits can often be overlooked, but here they do such a great job of encapsulating the feel of the show that they're worthy of a mention.

Indeed, the music throughout is excellent. Composer Nick Urata (Crazy, Stupid, Love) imbues the show with, at turns, a sense of whimsy and danger that fit the ever-changing mood, while there's opportunity for NPH to show-off his considerable musical theatre talents as well, bursting into song during the first episode. It helps establish how fun it is, but also the absurdity and the darkness lying underneath.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.