The Smurfs 1 And 2 (Double DVD): Review

The Smurfs 1 – The Film

The first in the series of films combining live action with very detailed CG animation, and a superb job at that.

When evil wizard Gargamel finds his way into the Smurf Village, the Smurfs escape, but some take a wrong turn and end up in the streets of New York, where adventure begins as they try find their way back home, and away from Gargamel.

Meeting Patrick, a New Yorker, they form a symbiotic relationship, where each helps the other in an important stage in their lives, helping each other grow and achieve their goals.

The film is incredibly detailed as far as the Smurf Village goes, and the CG animation is superb, with vibrant colours bringing not only the real-life locations to life, but breathing life into those little blue creatures.

The Smurfs has a little something for all, young and old, serious and silly. An adventure for everyone.

The Smurfs 2 – The Film

Read the SAMDB Smurfs 2 film review.

The Smurfs 1 – The Dic:

The disc is encoded at a high bitrate, meaning no artefacts are visible on screen, and it can be scaled up to HD via software. The sound make abundent use of the surrounds, totally immersing the viewer in the on-screen action.

As for bonus features, there is an abundance of these, from a music video all the way to technical details on how the Smurfs were animated, complimenting the films broad appeal, so that everyone from filmmakers to children will have something of interest to learn. With the quality and number of extra features in the disc, this puts so many other titles, who couldn’t be bothered, to shame.

Smurfs 2 – The Disc

The Smurfs 2 disc is encoded at a high bitrate, meaning image is crisp and clear, and can be scaled up via software to HD. It also makes great use of the surround channels, wrapping the viewer in the Smurf world.

There are slightly fewer extra features this time, and they are a bit shorter in length, but provide some insight into the creative process, the work that went into the animation of the characters, and a little bit into the deeper story of emotion and belonging portrayed by the story.

Smurfs 1 and 2 are available on disc in South Africa now, with a limited time double pack.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb

Leave a comment