Saturday 27 August 2011

Film: The Smurfs




I had fond memories of The Smurfs cartoon so was happy to go see this one with my daughter.


Now, in the cartoon the evil wizard Gargamel was alway trying to locate The Smurfs village but he never managed it. In this movie Gargamel storms the village within the first five minutes causing panic amongst the little blue guys.


During the escape a band of Smurfs, led by Papa, take a wrong turn and, with Gargamel hot on their heels, they are transported via portal to present day New York City.


On their quest to return home they befriend Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace (Jayma Mays) while always attempting to aviod Gargamel who has followed them.


Instead of spoiling memories, as films like this tend to do, this manages to update fun characters and bring them to a new audience. The Smurfs are wonderfully animated and well voiced by Jonathan Winters (Papa), Alan Cumming (Gutsy) and Katy Perry (Smurfette) to name but a few but it's Hank Azaria's perfect portrayal of Gargamel that steals the show.


There is also plenty of laughs for the grown ups like when Patrick questions the constant use of the word smurf and exclaims "smurf, smurf, smurfity, smurf" "Theres no need for that language" replies a stern looking Papa. Priceless.


Go on, use your own or someone else's kids as an excuse and catch this one.


Ric's Rating: 75%


6 comments:

  1. Smurfs and Neil Patrick Harris are to me a perfect combination :)

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  2. Yep, it certainly works here Dez.

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  3. Thanks Eagle, glad you liked the review.

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  4. Awesome review! I'm glad you & your daughter enjoyed.

    I wanted to check the movie out but I was going to wait til its out the theaters to do that. But if I do go to the theaters to see, I don't have any kids & I won't borrow anyone else's kid since I'm huge kid myself. :P

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  5. Really? Must be a generation thing. I was a teen when they were popular, so the Smurf movie holds no appeal for me.

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  6. Thanks Zena, I haven't saw many kids films since I was one myself so the little one gives me the chance to see fun stuff like this.
    Alex, you may be pleasantly surprised.

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