Raja Gosnell
I puffi 3D

To prevent it from becoming a typical midweek evening, perhaps imbued with boredom, the trip to the cinema was effective. Destination "Torrevillage," the closest multiplex to our small town. My wife, inclined towards lighter, more family-friendly cinema, much more practical than the films I prefer, slyly expressed no preference throughout the journey. I wonder why I had the distinct feeling that I wouldn't be the one choosing the film this time. Hoping not to end up sharing some terrifying movie that I wouldn't have watched alone even under the influence of drugs, we found ourselves, confident, in front of the gallery of scheduled posters.

The first attempt, almost certainly futile: Oh, look, there's "Super 8" which seems interesting, especially because it's produced by Spiel... Silence with a pout. I knew it. The second attempt was ambitious: ...and "Terraferma"? Do you remember the director of "Nuovomondo"? This film is triumphant in Venice... Silence with a pout inclined to sulkiness. Battle lost from the start. Last attempt, with fake rhetoric besides: eeeh, "The Smurfs"? A 16-tooth smile. In 3D? A 32-tooth smile. Oh, well then!

In the famous Smurf village, the ordinary life of the blue little men, among mushrooms, carefree songs, and cute little animals, is disrupted by yet another invasion of the wicked Gargamel, who is determined to collect samples to become the most authoritative of wizards. A daring escape, unintentionally led by Clumsy, sends a handful of them, the most famous of course, right into the middle of Central Park. They need to return to the village quickly. Everything goes as planned until, in a series of entertaining situations, they end up in the tranquil life of a couple on the verge of expansion. He's a budding advertiser and she's about to be a mom. Among the funniest sequences are the one shot in the shopping mall and the final one at Central Park in a spirited battle against Azrael and Gargamel before returning home.

Raja Gosnell, director of films of this genre, has crafted, I must admit, a pleasant little comedy typically American, with all the clichés of the case, including the terrifying line "everything will be alright!" and some funny digital effects. Some scenes, with the active assistance of brilliant computer engineers, are really well shot. The 3D is forced, as often happens lately, meaning there is really very little that is truly three-dimensional. At most, a few fast-moving tunnels and a smurf dancing between the bicolored lenses of the temporary glasses provided.

Among the positives, notably, no profanity is uttered. Nowadays, even in children's films, it's impossible not to insert some figurative male member or the inevitable invitation to a populous village. For once, thank heavens, vulgarity is set aside and some innuendos are effectively covered by a "smurf", making the film more enjoyable. The forgotten Peyo, the creator of the famous little gnomes, is rightly and cleverly reminded in a media-savvy scene, and not, with the "J," the brand of a famous range of beverages prominently displayed between Fenech's bosom and Alvaro Vitali's bulging eyes.

Among the smurfs, the most amusing is Brainy, dubbed, just like for Smurfette, by the same voice that distinguished him in the cartoons. Not speaking is Azrael, who limits himself to some sharp meowing and some drawn-out ones. Not entirely effective is the portrayal of Gargamel, too forced into becoming a puppet that he is not. Never heard of the actors playing Patrick and Grace, the couple who will live with the smurfs for a few days, such Neil Harris and Jayma Mays.

Globally good film, carefree, suitable for the youngest and to tickle the older ones. An American comedy, unpretentious and surrounded by good digital effects that unfortunately are prevailing too much over human qualities. The important thing is that my better half enjoyed herself, and that the evening ended between a four-cheese and a capricious pizza, with a needless 3% discount on the total, thanks to the promotional card from the pizzeria.