The SMURFS: Hated by Critics, Loved by Audiences?

Shogo-Kun · Postby **Shogo-Kun** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:06 pm

Okay, so I was looking at the wiki for THE SMURFS in 3D, and I was genuenly surprised by what I saw. Apparently, critics really hated the movie, saying it was "nothing but childish kid-friendly fare" and "filled with actors that deserve better than this film". However, that's not what surprised me. What REALLY surprised me is that the film is doing very well at the box office and audiences just love it! I guess that it's no surprise, considering that it's meant to be a fun summer movie. But what do you guys think of this development? Is this anything worth mentioning or just something common for movies?

DISCUSS!!

Kenshin Sephiroth · Postby **Kenshin Sephiroth** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:42 pm

[url]http://blip.tv/the-cinema-snob/the-smurfs-review-5424649[/url]

Sounds like utter shit to me.

backseatjesus · Postby **backseatjesus** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:48 pm

It's a fucking kids movie.

gatotsu911 · Postby **gatotsu911** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:59 pm

There's no reason "kids' movies" can't be good. c.f. Toy Story trilogy, The Emperor's New Groove, the Muppets, An American Tail, Mulan, The Iron Giant, the Peanuts movies, et al.

The Eva Monkey · Postby **The Eva Monkey** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:14 pm

I hear it's better than Battleship.

backseatjesus · Postby **backseatjesus** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:25 pm

gatotsu911 wrote:There's no reason "kids' movies" can't be good. c.f. Toy Story trilogy, The Emperor's New Groove, the Muppets, An American Tail, Mulan, The Iron Giant, the Peanuts movies, et al.

Disney films and Pixar films are aimed towards the whole family, not just kids.

And while it's true there are other kid films that have some sort of intellect, at the end of the day it doesn't matter because kids don't give a shit. Any intellect that's put in a kids film is simply to make the film interesting to adults.

gatotsu911 · Postby **gatotsu911** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:37 pm

backseatjesus wrote:Disney films and Pixar films are aimed towards the whole family, not just kids.

How exactly do you differentiate between a "family movie" and a "kids' movie"? A good movie is a good movie and a bad movie is a bad movie, regardless of who it's "aimed towards".

backseatjesus wrote:And while it's true there are other kid films that have some sort of intellect, at the end of the day it doesn't matter because kids don't give a shit. Any intellect that's put in a kids film is simply to make the film interesting to adults.

Kids may not be as discerning as adults, but they're not as dumb as most adults assume them to be either. Make something smart that speaks to them on their level, and they'll recognize its quality. Likewise, make something with the intent to cynically pander to them and assume they're too stupid to see through you, and sooner or later they'll realize they're being talked down to.

Tarnsman · Postby **Tarnsman** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:48 pm

The Eva Monkey wrote:I hear it's better than Battleship.

No, at least that movie will probably be so completely horrible that it's glorious.

C.A.P. · Postby **C.A.P.** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:59 pm

backseatjesus wrote:And while it's true there are other kid films that have some sort of intellect, at the end of the day it doesn't matter because kids don't give a shit. Any intellect that's put in a kids film is simply to make the film interesting to adults.

So by that logic, we should ignore every single animated movie ever. :wink:

Postby **FreakyFilmFan4ever** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:45 pm

It's making a lot of money because its audience is made up of small children who really don't know any better, and that's really not a bad thing financially speaking.

Cody MacArthur Fett · Postby **Cody MacArthur Fett** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:39 pm

People who have been complaining about The Smurfs generally have just seen reviews for the movie, but those who have praised the movie generally have actually gone out and seen it themselves. I don't know, but I won't know until I watch it, and considering the high praise it's been getting there's a good possibility my family will pick it up in a few months when it's available on DVD. Until then I'm neutral on the subject.

Trajan · Postby **Trajan** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:49 pm

Critics hating something but audiences loving it regardless is hardly a new development. i.e. Transformers

Bagheera · Postby **Bagheera** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 1:23 pm

Kenshin Sephiroth wrote:[url]http://blip.tv/the-cinema-snob/the-smurfs-review-5424649[/url]

Sounds like utter shit to me.

Well, that review certainly is. No idea about the movie.

Protip: if we're two minutes into your "review" and you haven't even identified the movie you're doing it wrong.

Postby **FreakyFilmFan4ever** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 2:11 pm

Trajan wrote:Critics hating something but audiences loving it regardless is hardly a new development. i.e. Transformers

I agree. Critics judge a film based on what they believe its quality is and not how many people will watch it, whereas there are many movie-goers watch movies simply to kill time and eat popcorn. And the amount of people who simply want to kill time and eat popcorn is increased 10 times as much when children are involved. So it's not like Smurfs even has to try hard. If they have blue-tinted small talking cartoon people, then kids will enjoy killing time and eating popcorn to it. It's that simple.

Kenshin Sephiroth · Postby **Kenshin Sephiroth** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:46 pm

Bagheera wrote:Well, that review certainly is. No idea about the movie.

Protip: if we're two minutes into your "review" and you haven't even identified the movie you're doing it wrong.

Title of the video: "The Smurfs" Review. 01:43: "There's not a worse movie you're gonna see in the next ten years."

Sounds like they identified it pretty clearly to me. :smirk:

Bagheera · Postby **Bagheera** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:13 pm

Kenshin Sephiroth wrote:Title of the video: "The Smurfs" Review. 01:43: "There's not a worse movie you're gonna see in the next ten years."

Sounds like they identified it pretty clearly to me.

Meh. Point is I'm there for a review, not to listen to their melodramatic shit that has nothing to do with the flick.

But I understand this kind of drivel is popular with the kids these days so I'm probably doing it wrong.

Kenshin Sephiroth · Postby **Kenshin Sephiroth** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:17 pm

Bagheera wrote:But I understand this kind of drivel is popular with the kids these days so I'm probably doing it wrong.

Wait. Are we talking about the review or The Smurfs?

Bagheera · Postby **Bagheera** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:26 pm

Kenshin Sephiroth wrote:Wait. Are we talking about the review or The Smurfs?

The review. I haven't seen the movie (looks awful, but I don't know why anyone would expect otherwise. It's not like the Smurfs were ever all that deep to begin with).

THE Hal E. Burton 9000 · Postby **THE Hal E. Burton 9000** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 5:14 pm

perhaps the biggest problem is that it's the old "transport-characters-from-their-universe-to-our-reality" trope, it's so uninspired and reeks of lazy writing

also, Neil Patrick Harris, why? does he fit into the nostalgia appeal because of Doogie Howser or something?

what, were C. Thomas Howell, William Zabka, or Molly Ringwald not available? [/sarcasm]

(bonus points if you know who William Zabka was)

EvangelionFan · Postby **EvangelionFan** » Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:35 pm

This film sounds a lot like that live-action adaptation of Rocky and Bullwinkle.

The SMURFS: Hated by Critics, Loved by Audiences?

The SMURFS: Hated by Critics, Loved by Audiences?

Who is online