To coincide with the release of upcoming live action/3D animated adventure Smurfs: The Lost Village, Sony have released a compilation of eight classic episodes celebrating the little blue critters in their original splendour. Originally airing in 1981, the Hanna-Barbera Productions series would become an institution of children’s television and, to this day, the franchise is still ongoing, albeit via the big budget Hollywood treatment. However, old episodes are still shown occasionally for current generations of kids to discover Smurf Village in its original iteration for themselves, and with this latest DVD release, younger audiences and long-time fans alike can enjoy some of the original series’ finest efforts.
Every episode featured is some stellar Smurf fare, with highlights including “Sideshow Smurfs”, where Clumsy and Smurfette are captured by a wicked fella who wants to use them as pawns in his show. “Smurfs at Sea” on the other hand sees Papa Smurf recalling tales of his ocean voyages, while “The Scarlet Croaker” sees the gang kidnapped by disgusting creatures known as Wartmongers while searching for swamp root. With plenty of predicaments to overcome and adventures to be had, The Smurfs Amazing Adventures is bound to provide plenty of enjoyment for those seeking some fantastical escapism.
Whether you’re looking for a rough introductory guide to The Smurfs in their classic form or a fun trip down memory lane, this collection is well worth picking up. Even in adulthood this show holds up spectacularly well, so for those of you with kids seeking some entertainment for the whole family to watch together, this release should hit the spot quite Smurfly. That said, it’d also be wise to invest in boxsets of entire seasons, though the adventures found here are a perfect starting point to determine whether it’s worth delving further into the Smurf universe in future.
THE SMURFS AMAZING ADVENTURES / CERT: U / DIRECTORS: VARIOUS / SCREENPLAY: VARIOUS / STARRING: VARIOUS / RELEASE DATE: 13TH MARCH
