The Smurfs is a flop!

The Smurfs might be enjoyable for children,but parents: you may want to bring something to read in the theater.

Ayman Baleegh August 24, 2011
The Smurfs is a 3D adaptation of our beloved childhood cartoon, but this time the blue Smurfs drown in the deep blue sea, and even Neil Patrick Harris, who has proven he can save just about any sinking ship, cannot make this boat float.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, The Smurfs are mythical characters who come from a magical village. Each Smurf is named after its personality trait.

The 3D animation starts off with a vibrant essence of colours, showing happy, joyful Smurfs living harmoniously in their village which is magically isolated from the human eye. The Smurfs keep away from an evil wizard (Gargamel) who they believe can incur harm upon them.

Gargamel spends copious amounts of time looking for Smurfs- his interest is purely mercenary. By killing them, he will obtain more and more power. The more Smurfs he kills the more power he accumulates.

However, what I failed to understand during the course of the movie is that when Gargamel does actually locate the Smurfs he decides to chase only 6 Smurfs, forgetting entirely about the remaining hundreds.

Anyways, clichéd from the 90’s, these Smurfs land in Central Park in New York City. They find a home owned by a lovely couple who welcome them in their lives just after a minute or two of disagreement. They almost immediately allow them to stay, break their furniture and change the décor of their entire apartment. This sequence was so boring and predictable.

What was even more tedious, toneless and repetitive was when the prefix Smurf was added to everything they said. smurf-xactly, smurf-some. Oh God, please save us from the monotony!

However, just like in the 90s series, Gargamel locates the Smurfs in the populated city, almost gets his hands on “Papa”, oldest Smurf but then Clumpsy comes to his rescue and saves the day.

Gargamel’s costume and exterior was terribly poor- even the wig he donned was clearly fake, and I could easily make out the glue underneath it!

The Smurfs is heavily criticized by film critics for its lack of story and overuse of the same jokes However, many critics did say that the movie would probably be enjoyable for children “only”. The critical consensus states that "The Smurfs assembles an undeniably talented cast of voice actors and live-action stars -- then crushes them beneath a blue mound of lowest-common-denominator kiddie fare".

The Smurfs is a decent enough excuse to haul the little ones into an air-conditioned theater, but attention parents of 4-year-olds: You may want to bring something to read in the theater.

[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7emiua3X4p4]]
WRITTEN BY:
Ayman Baleegh The author is a dental house officer.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (8)

Abdullah | 12 years ago | Reply ..the writer couldn't have written a review better than this. This movie even tho is not entertaining for adults but its not even entertaining for the kids also.
Maryum | 12 years ago | Reply good job!! i totally agree, the movie dint live up to the expectations at all. and a word for the readers, if u dont care about reading the review then dont be pushed to do so, find yourself something better to do and show some respect for the writer, they are doing their job here!
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