LinhCelluloid Television: The Smurfs Movie
February 6th 2010 17:06
Simply Smurfy by Linh
The lack of original ideas in Hollywood film-making continues as more content from television or books is adapted for the cinema. Over the years, we have seen Speed Racer, Astroboy, The Flintstones, The Simpsons and others making it into the theatres to enthrall, excite and entertain nostalgic audiences while gaining younger and new fans.
One film I await with cautious eagerness is the upcoming animated-live action and 3D film The Smurfs Movie. The Smurfs is based on a Belgian comic strip by Pierre 'Peyo' Culliford (who passed away in 1992) and the show's popularity lead to The Smurfs very first feature film entitled The Smurfs and the Magic Flute made in Belgium in 1976. It was then made into a television cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera production in the US that ran from 1981-1990.
The series follows the adventures of a fictional race of tiny blue humanoids (cuter and cuddlier versions of the Na'vi people in Avatar) living idyllic lives in their forest village during medieval times. They are befriended by humans named Johan and Peewit, and are closely watched by an evil warlock/alchemist named Gargamel, who is obsessed with capturing them to eat or use them in a concoction to turn things to gold. The Smurfs say "smurf or smurfy" in place of random words, there are 105 of them living in mushroom houses and only one of them is female. Their names correspond to their most distinct character trait, for example Vanity Smurf is vain, Papa Smurf is the father figure and patriarch.
Baby boomers and some Generation X-ers will fondly remember the little blue creatures, but Generation Y may find them too tame and lame after growing up with animated television shows such as The Simpsons, South Park and Family Guy. It would be fun to be re-acquainted with the Smurfs and catching up with Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf etc. Let's hope Columbia Pictures does the Smurfs justice and retain the humour, family values and all the characters from the original television series.
The release date for The Smurfs Movie is yet to be confirmed but some websites claim a December 2010 or early 2011 release is likely.
Opening titles to The Smurfs television series. Image: Peyo, Hanna-Barbera.
The lack of original ideas in Hollywood film-making continues as more content from television or books is adapted for the cinema. Over the years, we have seen Speed Racer, Astroboy, The Flintstones, The Simpsons and others making it into the theatres to enthrall, excite and entertain nostalgic audiences while gaining younger and new fans.
Poster artwork for The Smurfs And The Magic Flute theatrical release. Image: Peyo, Filmways Australasian Distributors.
One film I await with cautious eagerness is the upcoming animated-live action and 3D film The Smurfs Movie. The Smurfs is based on a Belgian comic strip by Pierre 'Peyo' Culliford (who passed away in 1992) and the show's popularity lead to The Smurfs very first feature film entitled The Smurfs and the Magic Flute made in Belgium in 1976. It was then made into a television cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera production in the US that ran from 1981-1990.
FEMALE FIRST: Smurfette has the golden touch in the television series The Smurfs. Image: Peyo, Hanna-Barbera.
The series follows the adventures of a fictional race of tiny blue humanoids (cuter and cuddlier versions of the Na'vi people in Avatar) living idyllic lives in their forest village during medieval times. They are befriended by humans named Johan and Peewit, and are closely watched by an evil warlock/alchemist named Gargamel, who is obsessed with capturing them to eat or use them in a concoction to turn things to gold. The Smurfs say "smurf or smurfy" in place of random words, there are 105 of them living in mushroom houses and only one of them is female. Their names correspond to their most distinct character trait, for example Vanity Smurf is vain, Papa Smurf is the father figure and patriarch.
WIZARD WAYS: Gargamel finds a smurfilicious recipe to cook smurfs in the television series The Smurfs. Image: Peyo, Hanna-Barbera.
Baby boomers and some Generation X-ers will fondly remember the little blue creatures, but Generation Y may find them too tame and lame after growing up with animated television shows such as The Simpsons, South Park and Family Guy. It would be fun to be re-acquainted with the Smurfs and catching up with Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf etc. Let's hope Columbia Pictures does the Smurfs justice and retain the humour, family values and all the characters from the original television series.
OUTSMURFED: Papa Smurf and his friends foil another of Gargamel's attempts to capture them in the television series The Smurfs. Image: Peyo, Hanna-Barbera.
The release date for The Smurfs Movie is yet to be confirmed but some websites claim a December 2010 or early 2011 release is likely.
Early poster artwork for the animated-live action 3D film The Smurfs Movie. Image: Columbia Pictures.
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