Nothing punctuates my childhood sugar coated cereal scarfing early Saturday Morning Cartoons experience any more than the 90 minute block of the Smurfs. These characters will forever embody the innocence of my youth before I discovered the rebellious tones of Knight Rider and Dukes of Hazzard.
Well they are making a movie of the Smurfs, and an astute superfan Brad, at Mushroom Village forums: says:
I stumbled onto this video news report that features what looks like footage of the Smurf MOVIE!! in production! The shot is at the very end of this clip, which shows a 3D smurf being animated in a 3D program.
So there you have it. Potentially the first peek at a 3d Smurf.
Granted, seeing the 2d blue wonders that were only to stand 3 apples high in 3d form wouldnt be the first time. Very popular in the hieght of Smurfy fandom was a collection of Smurf miniatures that were in their plastic glory, and fully modelled in 3d. This would simply be the first time we see them on screen. And see them we will. Paramount plans on releasing this as a Trilogy. Epic Smurfs.
I am a little excited about this film and for once, this remake (movies based on TV shows qualify as remakes) seems to cover all 4 of TMB’s Rules before making a Remake.
1) The original has to have a good story – The smurfs were a good story. Original and full of adventure and life lessons.
2) Majority of current audience hasn’t seen the original – Its been off the air for 19 years (not counting syndication) and most people I know under 25 have no idea what I am talking about when I say Smurf. Enough people remember, all of the target audience wont.
3) Original has to be at least 20 years old – Last Season was 1989. Pretty damned close. Will be well over when the proposed 2010 film release hits.
4) The story would benefit from a modern telling – Everyone needs a little smurf in their life. This is complete escapism.
I just hope that this doesn’t turn into an “Alvin and the Chipmunks” The formula is the same, but the movie doesn’t have to suck so bad. As long as they keep the smurfs in a hidden villiage, and Gargamel is a medieval warlock who craves the tasty smurfs for their magical properties, I will be cool with it.
That will be perfectly smurfy.
