The Smurfs
Dir: Raja Gosnell
2011
**
In 2011, Pierre Culliford's (or Peyo as he was known) little blue Schtroumpfs were brought to life for the big screen. Originally a comic, the Schtroumpfs (or Smurfs as they soon became known as) became popular when in 1981 Hanna-Barbera gave them their own cartoon TV series. The world has loved them ever since. The Cartoons are almost sacred to some, as are many other Hanna-Barbera creations and 80's cartoons. It seems each one has taken their turn in being adapted for the big screen for a 'younger audience' and each one seems more disappointing than the next for the fans. Raja Gosnell's The Smurfs actually has a lot to its credit. Firstly, the mix of live action and animation isn't too bad visually. The voices chosen are good, especially the great Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf and Hank Azaria was perfect as Smurf bad-guy, Gargamel. The humor was spot on too, with references to the Smurfs each taking their names from their own personality disposition, why there is only one girl Smurf and their questionable use of the word 'Smurf' in their language leading to laughs. The problem is the terrible story. The 'real' people are also a problem, some cast members (Jayma Mays) seeming more cartoonish than the actual cartoons. As well animated as the Smurfs are, the interaction between live action and cartoon just doesn't work, Neil Patrick Harris (as much as I like him) never convinces he is looking at anything other than either a wall or a floor. There is only so much the Smurfs can do on their own, maybe it was a mistake bringing them to 'The real world' and maybe they should have been left where they belong as it seems once again, humans are the real problem.