The Smurfs story has been going for years and years. Why is this? How do blue people win the hearts of human audiences so easily? What's the secret? The Smurfs have firmly cemented their place in worlds of comic strips, film and television; their clothing and cute faces are instantly recognisable.
Now, The Smurfs have come to life, once again, in the world of cinema, with The Smurfs taking to the screen, in 3D, and a sequel is on the cards for next year.
The cast line-up is impressive for the new installment. Whether it's Hank Azaria and Neil Patrick Harris, or the beautiful Sofia Vergara, director Raja Gosnell has selected a series of popular names to bring the blue figures to life. The Azaria casting choice, however, is a brilliant one. He has proven his talent in voicing and taking the role of a myriad of characters previously; Gosnell should be commended on his selection. The film is also a better change of pace from his other titles, like Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Yours, Mine and Ours, features that fared very poorly with viewers. Gosnell's film, however, does signal a change in the context of the series.
It is, by definition, the first live action feature featuring the blue crew. In the 1960s and 1970s, audiences saw the release of Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs and The Smurfs and the Magic Flute; both animated films signalled the transition from comic book to film. Now, the series has made the shift from comic strip, television and animated film, to live action film. In the US, thus far, the transition has proven financially successful, but moderately successful critically.
After many years of entertaining comic book, television and film audiences, The Smurfs still, well into the 21st century, continue to entertain us. The new 3D animated feature is proof that little blue people still have appeal.
Is it because they're cute? Does 3D cinema have more appeal than it once did? Will the phenomenon continue to grow, from strength to strength, once it is followed up with a sequel next year?
By Chris Traficante