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Thursday, April 25, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD THE SMURFS (3D)
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: ***
There are films which smack in the beginning, often even before the crisis is
established, and make you predict the end. As an experienced viewer, you are
aware this is the case with 95 percent films and that it is not the destination,
but the film`s journey that truly matters. The journey through Smurf land is
filled with clean, well humoured moments that will charm families.
Trying to escape the stupidly evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) six little,
blue, happy creatures called The Smurfs are transported from their magical land
to New York. They land in the home of marketing executive Patrick (Neil Patrick
Harris). With the wizard close on their heels, the Smurfs have to find a way to
get back home, and quick.
One of the strongest elements that a film with a predictable story needs to have
is some unbelievably adorable characters. This film has a `Smurf` full of these
cuteness.
The usual suspects, the six Smurfs are obviously cute. Yet, the funniest one of
the lot is the evil, laughing kitty. Never after the cute cat in Shrek, has
there been such an adorable feline in filmdom. Pair him with a dumb-witted
master who is supposed to be a wizard, and you have a laugh riot blowing.
The sub-plots and twists in the tale are expected and though there is a very
high overdose of `smurfy` terms, its delicate handling by director Raja Gosness
ensures this does not get to you.
Though a film that stays literally true to the one created by the writer of
Smurfs, Peyo, (like in a popular animated series of the `80s and a film) would
have been wonderful, this one - a mix of live action and animation - works as
well.
There have been a decent number of films with the mix of live action and
animation in recent times like "Alvin and the Chipmunks",
"Garfield", and "Hop", all three directed by one man - Tim
Hill. Yet, this is the best of the lot and a welcome addition to a sub-genre
that saw its peak in the `50s but seems to have lost its sheen in recent times
despite advances in CGI.
"The Smurfs" is a fun film meant purely as a family entertainer with
the cuteness of a "Home Alone" and "Babe" where everything
is gimmicky and beyond proportions. And just like in these two films, the
director knows his limits and `where` and `why` and most importantly, `how` not
to cross over those limits.
Audiences everywhere are in for a Smurfy good time as the Smurfs make their first 3D trip to the big screen in Columbia Pictures`/Sony Pictures Animation`s hybrid live-action and animated family comedy, The Smurfs. When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours - in fact, smack dab in the middle of New York`s Central Park. The Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.
