Smurfs: Magnified

Smurfs are the well-loved blue elf-like creatures of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series that reigned in the boob tube during the ‘80s up to the ‘90s. 

The Smurfs' happy disposition in their little mushroom village and their adventures in trying to flee away from the evil wizard, Gargamel, glued the viewers in front of their television sets, which were not yet the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LED (Light Emitting Diodes) types on those decades of family entertainment.   Now, what will happen if those tiny blue creatures reach New York City by accident, or is it fate?  It is truly an exciting adventure that will set the viewers on their seats in fluctuating anticipation.  



Before I discuss about the NYC adventure of the Smurfs, perhaps you might be interested to know the demography and etymology of these little ones.

Firstly, what’s all the fuss about Smurfs?  Can you tell one when you see one?

How to Spot a Smurf

These little characters are three apples high, have blue skin and are dressed in white trousers and a cap. They are a happy, easy-going bunch.  The Smurfs also speak a very strange language. Some words and verbs are replaced by “Smurf”.  Instead of saying, “You messed with the wrong girl”, they would say, “You smurfed with the wrong girl”.  Just like what Smurfette said in the 3D movie version.

Smurfs, The Beginning

Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs

In 1947, Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, a.k.a Peyo, created a comic called Johan et Pirlouit,  about a young boy and his boastful cheating yet faithful dwarf sidekick.  On October 23, 1958, in the ninth issue of the comic, the duo met tiny, blue-skinned creatures called "Les Schtroumpfs."

First appearance of the Smurfs in the comic Johan et Pirlouit, 1958 (Image via Lambiek.net)

These creatures, which later became the Smurfs, were such a hit that they got their own comic series.  The Smurfs became a worldwide hit after Hanna-Barbera featured them in an animated series in the 1980s.

Although their creator, Peyo, died on Christmas of 1992, the Smurfs have never been so popular. 

 

The Eternal Smurf

Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Baby Smurf and other Smurfs

These little people who resemble kids are actually 100 years old! Papa Smurf, with his white beard, is the oldest of all. In October 1958, when the story first appeared in "Le Journal de Spirou", he declared that he was 542.  Smurfs never get older.  So Baby Smurf will eternally be a baby.  As for Smurfette, no one asks how old she is.  Even Smurfs have etiquette, they know it's impolite to ask a lady about her age.

Papa Smurf

The oldest of the Smurfs and the wisest of them all.  With his Smurfly wisdom, Papa Smurf concocts potions and creates spells to save his fellow Smurfs from all dangers.  He was the one who smurfied Smurfette from being an ugly clay by-product into a beautiful bombshell. 

Smurfette dressed and posed a la Marilyn Monroe

Smurfette—the most famous Smurf character aside from Papa Smurf

The evil sorcerer, Gargamel, the arch-nemesis of the Smurfs, magically created from clay the first female Smurf, Smurfette, to cause jealousy and trouble among the all-male Smurfs. But his plan backfired: Smurfette turned out ugly, only when Papa Smurf took pity on her and did some plastic smurfery that she turned into a blond bombshell. Smurfette gave her loyalty to the Smurfs.  In the original comic, Smurfette left the Smurf village to restore peace and all-male status quo population. However, in the ‘80s worldwide hit cartoon TV series by Hanna-Barbera, she settled in the village and became a permanent character.

Recording artist, Katy Perry (Just Dance, Teenage Dream, Firework, etc.), provided the voice of Smurfette in the 3D movie.  She said she was excited to dub for Smurfette, since the lady Smurf fits her personality.

Vanity Smurf

Did you know that there is a gay Smurf?  With a flower in his bonnet and a mirror on his hand, Vanity is the Smurf that cares the most about his appearance. If he lives in the present day, he would be the "metrosexual" Smurf.  Delicate and sensitive, he spends his time talking fabrics with Smurfette and keeping his complexion fresh. And he wants to smell good all the time. 

Clumsy Smurf

Clumsy, the hero in the 3D movie version of the Smurfs, was not an original Smurf character.  He was not among the original list of Smurfs which includes Baby Smurf, Brainy, Cook Smurf, Farmer Smurf, Greedy, Grouchy, Handy, Harmony, Hefty, Jokey, Lazy Smurf, Papa Smurf, Poet Smurf, Smurfette.  Apparently, Clumsy’s character was created for the movie version, to be the savior of the whole of Smurfdom from being annihilated by the evil, Gargamel. 

Smurfs Music 

Music provided the next big step for the Smurfs when the Dutch singer Vader Abraham released the first Smurf single. It was a massive hit in Belgium and Holland, followed by the rest of the world.

Smurfs as Icons of Social Relevance

In a gruesome short film by United Nation Children’s Fund (Unicef), the Smurfs were used to raise money for the rehabilitation of former child soldiers in Burundi.  The Smurfs were shown as hapless victims of aerial bombardments!  

The short film opens with the Smurfs dancing hand-in-hand around a campfire while singing the Smurf song. Bluebirds peacefully fly over and fragile rabbits playfully run around their mushroom village.  Suddenly, fiery bombs from the sky shot and pierced the ground and begun the destruction of Smurf life and properties.  It was a merciless air raid! The deafening whistling bombs scared the little Smurfs who helplessly scampered away from the blinding blasts and explosions.  

The final scene shows a scorched and tattered Baby Smurf sobbing inconsolably, surrounded by lifeless Smurfs who were lying flat on their faces.

The final frame bears the message: "Don’t let war affect the lives of children."

Only people with iron hearts would not be moved by this Unicef advertisement.

 

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation Send Smurfs to the Big Screen

Smurfs theater billboard

Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation bring a live-action animated Smurfs project to the big screen. According to Columbia co-president, Doug Belgrad, they were very excited to introduce a new generation to Papa Smurf, Smurfette and the other smurftastic Smurfs.  The new generation surely will love the little characters (who aren't growing up), whom their parents, aunts and uncles grew up with.

Smurfs:  Synopsis of the 3D Movie

Gargamel (played by veteran actor, Hank Azaria) found the hidden village of the Smurfs and inflicted destruction on their homes and tried to kill them all with his magical powers.  As they escaped, Clumsy erroneously led the bunch to a forbidden cave. They reached the deadend of a cliff and Gargamel was behind them.  They saw a shining portal in front of the cliff, scared as they are, the Smurfs had no choice but to jump into the portal, lest they fall into the hands of the evil wizard.  The other side of the portal led the Smurfs to the Central Park in NYC. They were amazed at the city structures, a lot different from their mushroom village.  

Smurfs emerged  in Central Park from the portal

Gargamel and his cat, Azrael, were able to follow them through the portal.  In a series of chase, the Smurfs were led to the product launching affair of Anjelou, a cosmetic company in which Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris of Doogie Howser M.D. and How I Met Your Mother), an advertising executive, works under his mean and demanding boss, Odile (Sofia Vergara of Papi Chulo and Modern Family).   

Patrick pressured by mean boss, Odile, to come up with advertising campaign in just 2 days!

Clumsy, escaping from Azrael, accidentally entered a box of Anjelou cosmetics.  The other Smurfs heard Clumsy's cry for help but before they could approach the box, the unknowing Patrick had picked it up.  The other Smurfs jumped over the roof of the taxi hailed by Patrick.  Patrick’s pregnant wife, Grace (Jayma Mays of Glee), first saw Clumsy in their comfort room, chased by their pet dog.  Meanwhile, the other bunch of Smurfs have managed to enter the couple's apartment and were  discovered by Patrick in the living room. Shrieks of surprises filled the apartment.  When everyone was composed, Patrick consented to Grace’s plea to let the little people stay with them. 

The Smurfs in the couple's apartment

Gargamel was hell bent in finding the Smurfs, he roamed around NYC until he found the Anjelou building.  He went in and spoiled the beauty demonstration of Odile but he transformed the hag mother of Odile into a young sexy vixen.  Odile tried to buy out Gargamel's secret of 'youth'.  She did not get it as Gargamel saw Patrick and ran after him, he knew he was the guy with the Smurfs.

Odile negotiating a deal with Gargamel

The Smurfs wanted to go back home and were determined to find a stargazer to tell them the direction.  Patrick helped out by searching for blue moon in the internet.  Out in the city in search of a stargazer, the Smurfs caused a stir in the toy store and Gargamel found them.  Series of chase ensued and the Smurfs were able to escape from Gargamel, with the help of Patrick and Grace.  In a night of rejoicing in the apartment, dancing Clumsy accidentally stepped over Patrick’s laptop and sent the wrong ad to the advertising agency.  The next day, Patrick was in dilemma when he saw a picture of a blue moon, instead of his product ad, appeared in the electronic billboards of NYC.  Odile told Patrick to fix it or else, he’d be fired.  Clumsy admitted his guilt and Patrick was furious with the whole Smurf bunch.  Grace pacified him and he was won over.  Patrick just explained to Odile the relevance of Blue Moon moments.  But he was not safe yet.

The Smurfs tried to look for the Book of Spells that will help them open the portal towards home.  They took a train ride in the Times Square station and went to Wong’s Bookstore, where they were discovered and trapped by Gargamel.  Papa Smurf was captured by Gargamel who planned to extract the old creature’s essence to make him the most powerful wizard in the world. Clumsy did not give up, he was determined to save Papa Smurf.  So, the Smurfs, together with Patrick and Grace, looked for Gargamel’s hideaway which they found in Central Park.  Patrick and the male Smurfs fought with Gargamel while Smurfette freed Papa Smurf who was set in the extraction laboratory.  Smurfette had to fight with Azrael in order to achieve her goal.  After difficulties, she was able to subdue the evil cat of Gargamel.  Papa Smurf and Smurfette joined the rest of the Smurfs in fighting Gargamel.  

Grouchy Smurf

At first, Gargamel triumphed over the Smurfs, but then Grouchy, aboard a toy plane, snatched the magic wand which fell in the air.  The wand slowly descended and a heart-throbbing anticipation silenced everyone.  Clumsy aimed to catch the wand.  Papa Smurf believed his vision that Gargamel will be victorious.  But Clumsy was determined to save the Smurfs, as if suspended in the air, he ran, jumped and fell to the ground but was able to obtain the wand away from Gargamel’s hands.  Clumsy gave the wand to Papa Smurf who broke it, hence breaking the powers of Gargamel who was thrown away into a pile of rubbish in Central Park. Papa Smurf apologized to Clumsy for not believing in him. 

Brainy smurf

Everything went alright, Brainy had opened the portal again through a spell from the Book of Spells while the fight was ongoing.  The Smurfs jumped one by one into the portal, not forgetting to thank Patrick and Grace. 

Patrick was not fired by Odile.  The blue moon appeared clearly in the sky when the portal was opened by Brainy.  The people at Anjelou thought it was part of the product campaign. So, the advertisement mistake turned around and was well-liked by the patrons of Anjelou products.  





The film credits showed photos of Grace who has given birth to a baby boy, he was named Blue.   

Positive Quotes from the Movie

I would like to share the positive thoughts that I was able to catch while watching the movie.

Odile to Patrick:  Nervous energy is good energy (at work).

Odile to Patrick:  The fear of failure is a fabulous motivator.

Grace  to Clumsy:  Nobody is just one thing.  You can be anything you want to be.

Patrick to Odile:  I wanted to give you what you want.  Instead, I gave you what I thought was right.  Blue moon.  Once in a blue moon.  It is only once that something wonderful or magical happens to you, if you hesitate to take it, you might miss it.  Don’t let those blue moon moments pass you by.

Papa Smurf to Patrick:  The best decisions are not done with this (points to the head), but with this (points to the heart), where it matters most. 

Papa Smurf to Clumsy:  I owe you an apology.  I’ve always believed in visions that I forgot to believe in your ability.

Smurfette to Azrael:  You smurfed with the wrong girl!

Just like with other good things, there are negative reviews about the Smurfs-- on TV, on print and in movies.  Let us not focus on the bad side of things.  For all we know, there is no bad side in the first place. Instead, let us reconcile with the child in us— innocent, humble, trusting, never cynical, cheerful and does not pollute the mind by misjudgments of other people.

Life should not be made complicated.  It could be as simple as the Smurf song.  Lala-lalalala-la-lala-la-la…