DVD Review: "The Smurfs: A Magical Smurf Adventure"

Article written by Danny Alves

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: In a hidden village dwells a clan of magical creatures, living in mushroom houses and taking showers with dewdrops. They’re those international celebrities, known far and wide as the Smurfs  -- and they’re back on DVD.

This itty-bitty powder-blue crew, including Brainy, Lazy, Vanity, and Smurfette, is lead by the wise and gentle 542 year old Papa Smurf. Gargamel, the local evil wizard, is forever scheming against the tiny team but our little friends outsmurf him every time!

The Smurfsmay only be three apples high, but they life miles of smiles on the faces of Saturday morning cartoon fans from 1981-1989! Smurf it up again with this colorful collection of superior Smurftainment!

FILM: Coming off a weekend where the new film, based on this popular children’s show of the '80s actually tied, if not beat “Cowboys and Aliens” for the top of the box office, it’s safe to say that the lasting power of these little blue guys is really strong! A mainstay of children’s programing from the '80s, “The Smurfs” still have a rabbid following of adults, many of whom now have children they would love to introduce to these loveable blue creatures.

This particular DVD is a “greatest hits” of 10 episodes from its second season. Watching them again it is striking to see just how different children’s programing has become in the last 25 years. “The Smurfs” is comparatively, a much simpler, straightforward, show with clear plots (and an almost complete lack of any sub-plot) and very clearly defined characters (to the point they are actually NAMED after their particular character trait.. not much left to the imagination!).

Also missing from its contemporaries are the adult references, pop-culture, and gross potty humor that pervades today’s children’s fair. As much as all that makes for some good funny children’s show that adults can somewhat enjoy as well, the lack of such in the Smurfs is actually quite refreshing! Overall, “The Smurfs” is a great, innocent, kids show that even today’s younger ones (aged between two and five) should really enjoy while the parents can sit back and let the soothing wave of nostalgia wash over them!

VIDEO: Wow… these prints are old and not very well maintained. The video image here is blurred and scratchy. The hand-drawn animation looks quite dated. That said, on the plus side, the colors are still vibrant and the animation is simple enough that the blurry and scratchy don’t seriously detract from seeing what needs to be seen.

AUDIO: Presented in its original Dolby Mono soundtrack, the audio services the show well enough, but it hardly gives your surround sound system anything to do.

SPECIAL FEATURES: For such a beloved show from the '80s, the addition of only two special features is quite a let-down. First, we have the “Smurf-Speak: Express yourself the Smurf Way,” which basically trains you to insert the world “Smurf” as a replacement for most adjectives and adverbs. There is also “Smurftastic Moments: the Top Ten Moments from the Second Season,” which is pretty self-explanatory.

OVERALL: If you love the Smurfs, or have kids, it’s an easy call to pick up! It’s fun and family friendly! Other than that, you’re not the demographic.

WEBSITE TO BUY:

WBSHOP.COM