The Smurfs is a cartoon show featuring imaginary, blue-colored human-like creatures who live in mushroom-like houses in the forest. Starting as a comic, this franchise has grown into a classic cartoon show featuring funny moments from everyone’s favorite Smurf characters. This article will discuss the theatrical movies and the 2021 3D animated series.
The Smurfs (2011)
The first theatrical movie is based on the comics of the same name. It is a combination of fantasy elements and realistic elements as viewers see their favorite Smurf characters brought to life in New York City. The Blue Moon is an important symbol in this movie; it serves as a vortex portal from the fictional world to the real world. In the real world, the Smurfs are smaller in size compared to real humans. The Blue Moon is a reference to the color of the Smurfs themselves. The Smurfs wear their signature white clothes except Papa Smurf who wears red clothes. The Katy Perry soundtrack-assisted movie focuses on Papa Smurf, Grumpy Smurf, Smurfette, and Clumsy Smurf. The fish out of water tale seemed to resonate with the target audience.
The Smurfs 2 (2013)
This sequel follows the first theatrical movie. The elements of the sequel are similar to the elements in the first theatrical movie with some minor differences. In the first movie, the setting takes place in New York City; in the sequel, the setting takes place in Paris, France. Smurfette’s role is different in the sequel as she is the damsel-in-distress. Smurfette is the main focus of the sequel, as she was previously created as an antagonist but transformed into a protagonist. This is indicated by the change in hair color from dark to blonde. Magical elements remain the same in this sequel. The actors who voiced their characters from the first movie reprise their roles.
The 2021 3D Animated Series
The 2021 3D animated series, The Smurfs, is a reboot series for old fans of the classic cartoon and new fans of the film franchise. The episodes and series’ titles are in multiple languages. What makes this 3D animated series special and different from other adaptations is the unique animation style. The Smurfs’ clothes, faces, and features are more detailed than in the 2D animated TV series adaptations. There are more comic relief characters and funny moments, making this animated series ten times better than the original TV series of the same name.
Old Smurf characters make a comeback along with new Smurf characters joining the cast. Viewers see female Smurfs joining the cast, so there is some representation of women. There are new voice actors playing the Smurfs’ characters and they are completely different from the actors in the two theatrical movies.
Conclusion
Overall, The Smurfs franchise has gone through many changes over the years since its debut as a comic. This is indicated by the change in the animation style from 2D style to live-action to 3D style. As the years went by, viewers notice different actors playing their characters, so the characters’ voices sound different in the 2021 TV series than in the two theatrical movies. Both older and younger viewers will find The Smurfs franchise to be enjoyable.
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