Latest news with #Smurfs
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘They all looked the same, they all dressed the same': the betrayal of the Smurfs' communist roots
Smurfs, a new Paramount Pictures CGI-spectacle directed by Chris Miller, has received an all-round critical panning and faltered at the box office. But it does a serviceable job reminding viewers of the utter strangeness of the three-apples-tall characters originally conceived of by Belgian comic artist Pierre 'Peyo' Culliford in 1958. In the film, James Corden voices No Name Smurf, who experiences existential angst because unlike the other inhabitants of Smurf Village – Brainy, Grouchy, Hefty etc – he does not 'have his own thing', a skill or character trait that makes him stand out. This special trait is eventually identified as 'magic' and No Name is pressed – by a serenading Rihanna-voiced Smurfette – to realise his inner USP and 'don't let anyone ever say you are not anyone' and accept that 'you were born great'. An identity crisis might be a relatively novel experience for the motormouthed British actor, but it is certainly a first in the 67-year history of Peyo's blue cosmos. In fact, it may be a contradiction in terms: to be a good Smurf, in the proto-communist vision of the original comics, was to never elevate your own personality above the collective. Of Smurf Village's original 100 inhabitants, says French sociologist and Smurfologist Antoine Buéno, 'About 90% were totally indistinguishable. They all looked the same, they were all dressed the same.' While some Smurfs were identified by name, he says, this was usually through a skill that is related to how he (all of the original Smurfs were male) is useful to the community. 'The Smurfian society is an archetypal corporatist society, meaning that each Smurf that is identified represents a social function.' In Miller's latest reboot of the franchise, unleashing your true inner self is presented as the key to overcoming a problem – in Peyo's original book, it is the root of all evil. 'In the comics, each time a Smurf tries to be an individual, it creates a catastrophe,' Buéno says. For instance, in the second book of the original series, 1965's Le Schtroumpfissime (King Smurf), the inhabitants of the village hold a vote for an interim leader in the absence of Papa Smurf, but democracy does not become them. One nameless Smurf realises he can play the system by making promises he can't keep to each of his potential voters, and wins. But once elected, he rules as an autocrat, installing an oppressive regime marshalled by Hefty Smurf and forcing the other Smurfs to build him a palace. The book was translated into Dutch as De Smurführer. 'All bad comes from individuality, which is also linked with private property', says Buéno. 'Each time private property is claimed in the village, it ruins the whole balance of the society.' The 2011 book in which Buéno explored the hidden ideological underpinnings of Peyo's fictional world, Le Petit Livre Bleu: Analyse Critique et Politique de la Société des Schtroumpfs, triggered a bitter backlash from true blue fans, and is wilfully polemical in the way it spells out political allusions that the comics never make explicit. The revolutionary connotations of the Phrygian caps (red for Papa, white for all the rest) are plausible, the identification of bearded Papa Smurf as Marx and bespectacled Brainy as Trotsky perhaps less so. The search for messages hidden in the books may even have distracted from how genuinely original an exercise in storytelling the Smurfs were on the surface: a series of tales with 100 protagonists, of whom most look exactly the same, in which heroism lies in collective action. Speaking more than a decade after the publication of his Little Blue Book, Buéno sounds more balanced in his assessment. 'My theory was always that Peyo was not into politics at all', he says. 'But his genius was in creating a utopia that drew from our joint political history and coming up with images that spoke to everyone.' Using Smurf Village as an example of working socialism did not just die with the new reboot, it was washed out of the Smurfverse after Peyo sold the rights to his creation in the 1970s. 'For me, what we witnessed in the Smurfs is a perfect demonstration of Guy Debord's analysis of capitalism', says Buéno. 'Capitalism's strength lies in never frontally destroying its enemies, but taking them in and digesting them.'
Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
When is 'Smurfs' streaming? Here's our best guess
The '80s are back (remember "Trolls"?) and that means the Smurfs are back, too. This new take on the classic blue crew comes from Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies, with Rihanna voicing Smurfette in a version that's way more modern than the last time you probably saw the classic toon. It just released in theaters, so if you're wanting to hear new Rihanna music or dance along in the aisles while the Smurfs turn every potential adjective into "Smurf" or "Smurfing" or some variant, you'll have to leave your home. Because as far as watching from home goes, there's no official streaming release date yet. That said, we can make a solid guess. If you'd rather skip the theater, you likely won't have to wait much longer. Here's what we know about its home release schedule so far. Looking to get your Smurf on? Right now, the only way to do so is by heading to the local cineplex. "Smurfs" is playing exclusively in theaters following its release on July 18. There's no confirmed digital or streaming release date yet, but based on typical patterns for Paramount films, we can make an educated guess about when the movie will be available to watch at home. Paramount generally follows a 45-day theatrical window before making its movies available to purchase or rent on digital platforms like Amazon's Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. That puts "Smurfs" on track for a digital release sometime in late August 2025, possibly around Aug. 26. After that, it's likely to begin streaming on Paramount Plus around mid-September. This two-month post-theatrical timeline mirrors what we've seen with other recent Paramount movies like "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. We'll update this page if there are any changes or official confirmations, as there have yet to be any from Paramount itself just yet. "Smurfs" reimagines the classic cartoon and this time centers on Smurfette (Rihanna), who begins to question who she is in a world where every other Smurf seems to have a clear role: Baker Smurf bakes, Brainy Smurf thinks, but what exactly does she do? That leads Smurfette to set off on a journey of self-discovery that takes her beyond the village she calls home. Along the way, she teams up with some familiar faces as well as some new allies to stop a dark and mysterious threat (spooky!) and uncover long-buried secrets about the Smurfs' origins. Oh, and let's not forget: It's a musical. So if you didn't like that about the "Trolls" revival, it might not be the nostalgic return that you're looking for, but you might want to stick around anyway, because, well, Rih.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘They all looked the same, they all dressed the same': the betrayal of the Smurfs' communist roots
Smurfs, a new Paramount Pictures CGI-spectacle directed by Chris Miller, has received an all-round critical panning and faltered at the box office. But it does a serviceable job reminding viewers of the utter strangeness of the three-apples-tall characters originally conceived of by Belgian comic artist Pierre 'Peyo' Culliford in 1958. In the film, James Corden voices No Name Smurf, who experiences existential angst because unlike the other inhabitants of Smurf Village – Brainy, Grouchy, Hefty etc – he does not 'have his own thing', a skill or character trait that makes him stand out. This special trait is eventually identified as 'magic' and No Name is pressed – by a serenading Rihanna-voiced Smurfette – to realise his inner USP and 'don't let anyone ever say you are not anyone' and accept that 'you were born great'. An identity crisis might be a relatively novel experience for the motormouthed British actor, but it is certainly a first in the 67-year history of Peyo's blue cosmos. In fact, it may be a contradiction in terms: to be a good Smurf, in the proto-communist vision of the original comics, was to never elevate your own personality above the collective. Of Smurf Village's original 100 inhabitants, says French sociologist and Smurfologist Antoine Buéno, 'About 90% were totally indistinguishable. They all looked the same, they were all dressed the same.' While some Smurfs were identified by name, he says, this was usually through a skill that is related to how he (all of the original Smurfs were male) is useful to the community. 'The Smurfian society is an archetypal corporatist society, meaning that each Smurf that is identified represents a social function.' In Miller's latest reboot of the franchise, unleashing your true inner self is presented as the key to overcoming a problem – in Peyo's original book, it is the root of all evil. 'In the comics, each time a Smurf tries to be an individual, it creates a catastrophe,' Buéno says. For instance, in the second book of the original series, 1965's Le Schtroumpfissime (King Smurf), the inhabitants of the village hold a vote for an interim leader in the absence of Papa Smurf, but democracy does not become them. One nameless Smurf realises he can play the system by making promises he can't keep to each of his potential voters, and wins. But once elected, he rules as an autocrat, installing an oppressive regime marshalled by Hefty Smurf and forcing the other Smurfs to build him a palace. The book was translated into Dutch as De Smurführer. 'All bad comes from individuality, which is also linked with private property', says Buéno. 'Each time private property is claimed in the village, it ruins the whole balance of the society.' The 2011 book in which Buéno explored the hidden ideological underpinnings of Peyo's fictional world, Le Petit Livre Bleu: Analyse Critique et Politique de la Société des Schtroumpfs, triggered a bitter backlash from true blue fans, and is wilfully polemical in the way it spells out political allusions that the comics never make explicit. The revolutionary connotations of the Phrygian caps (red for Papa, white for all the rest) are plausible, the identification of bearded Papa Smurf as Marx and bespectacled Brainy as Trotsky perhaps less so. The search for messages hidden in the books may even have distracted from how genuinely original an exercise in storytelling the Smurfs were on the surface: a series of tales with 100 protagonists, of whom most look exactly the same, in which heroism lies in collective action. Speaking more than a decade after the publication of his Little Blue Book, Buéno sounds more balanced in his assessment. 'My theory was always that Peyo was not into politics at all', he says. 'But his genius was in creating a utopia that drew from our joint political history and coming up with images that spoke to everyone.' Using Smurf Village as an example of working socialism did not just die with the new reboot, it was washed out of the Smurfverse after Peyo sold the rights to his creation in the 1970s. 'For me, what we witnessed in the Smurfs is a perfect demonstration of Guy Debord's analysis of capitalism', says Buéno. 'Capitalism's strength lies in never frontally destroying its enemies, but taking them in and digesting them.'
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Malay Mail's Top 10 Picks: ‘Superman' stays second while the dinos keep their territory safe at No. 1
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Superman still can't seem to punch its way to the top of the local box office, even two weeks after its release, as Jurassic World: Rebirth continues to dominate at No.1. This week's chart also marks the return of familiar classics, such as the slasher flick I Know What You Did Last Summer, which makes a comeback with a long-awaited legacy sequel, while the Smurfs receive a fresh reboot for a new generation. July has been packed with big-screen blockbusters — some films smashing expectations, others simply riding the hype — but there's no denying it's been a brilliant month for cinema lovers. If your weekend plans are looking a little flat, don't worry — from the latest cinema releases to must-watch series on Netflix, Viu, and Disney+ Hotstar, along with trending songs and best-selling books, there's plenty to keep you entertained, and as always, Malay Mail has your weekend covered. Top 10 films in local cinemas (Domestic & International) (July 17 to July 20) Jurassic World Rebirth Superman F1: The Movie Impak Maksima 2 I Know What You Did Last Summer Smurfs Noise Tak Ingin Usai Di Sini Ghost Train Doraemon The Movie: Nobita's Art World Tales Source: and GSC Top 10 streaming on Netflix and Viu (July 14 to July 20) Netflix (Top 10 TV) TV Series UNTAMED: Limited Series Squid Game: Season 3 Gachiakuta: Season 1 DAN DA DAN: Season 2 Kaiju No. 8: Season 2 Tougen Anki: Season 1 I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability: Season 2 The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity: Season 1 Only You: Season 1 7 Bears: Limited Series Source: Netflix Top 10 Viu (Top 10 shows) The First Night with the Duke Mitos Cinta Akira Running Man (2025) Bitch x Rich 2 Bitch x Rich Revenged Love 逆爱 Lambaian Huda Our Generation 樱桃琥珀 Farewell Letter Taxi Driver 2 Source: Viu Frontpage Disney+ Hotstar (Top 10 shows) Our Movie: Season 1 Kaiju No.8: Season 2 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+: Season 1 Big City Greens: Season 1 Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Season 2 Washington Black: Season 1 Low Life: Season 1 Suspicious Partner (Japanese Version): Season 1 The Nice Guy: Season 1 Law and the City: Season 1 Source: Disney+ Hotstar Top 10 songs of the week (Spotify) (July 15 to July 23) HUNTR/X - Golden (w/ Ejae, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast) Jin - Don't Say You Love Me BLACKPINK - JUMP Tenxi - mejikuhibiniu (w/ Suisei, Jemsii) sombr - back to friends Saja Boys - Your Idol (w/ Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, KEVIN WOO, samUIL Lee, KPop Demon Hunters Cast) Saja Boys - Soda Pop (w/ Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, KEVIN WOO, samUIL Lee, KPop Demon Hunters Cast) Fourtwnty - Mangu (w/ Charita Utami) Naim Daniel - Seni Berdamai Dengan Takdir (w/ Adnin Roslan) HUNTR/X - What It Sounds Like (w/ Ejae, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast) Top 10 Malay songs of the week (Spotify) (July 15 to July 23) Adrianna Cinta, Farouk Roman - Dalam Sujudku (Acoustic version) - From 'Dia Bukan Syurga' Naim Daniel, Adnin Roslan - Seni Berdamai Dengan Takdir Rombongan Bodonk Koplo, Ncum - Calon Mantu Idaman Tenxi, Suisei, Jemsii - mejikuhibiniu Batas Senja - Kita Usahakan Lagi Ara Johari - Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain Nadeera - Bukan Lagi Kita Imran Ajmain - Seribu Tahun Lagi Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Ade Govinda - Menamakanmu Cinta Noh Salleh - Rahsia Tuhan Source: and Spotify Top 10 books of the week (July 11 to July 17) Fiction Strange Houses by Uketsu (HarperVia) The Wizard's Bakery by Gu Byeong-Mo (Wildfire) Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Picador) Maybe This Is Love by Maria Mahat (Rumaa Books imprint IMAN Publication) Powerless by Lauren Roberts (simon & schuster books for young readers) Strange Pictures by Uketsu (HarperVia) A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber (Flatiron Books) Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (Ballantine Books) Five Survive by Holly Jackson (Electric Monkey) A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead Books) Non-Fiction You're Not Bad with Money by Rachel Liew ( A Doctor in the House by Mahathir Mohamad (MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd) Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson (St. Martin's Essentials) Atomic Habits by James Clear (Penguin Books) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins & Sawyer Robbins (Hay House LLC) The Malay Dilemma (Reissue Edition) by Mahathir Mohamad (Marshall Cavendish) The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest (Thought Catalog Books) A Conversation with Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad by Perdana Leadership Foundation (gerakbudaya enterprise) Once Upon a Miao 2 (Remastered): Crushes, Friendship & Chaos by Jian Goh (Space Voyager Log PLT) Once Upon a Miao 3 by Jian Goh (Space Voyager Log PLT) Mutiara Minda (Malay Novels) Kaisar by Jiwa (Nukilan Biruni) Thariq Ridzuwan Commando's: His Treasure by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Qaid: The Unknown by Effalee (Manes Wordworks) Mi Carino by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Rahsia Danny by Teme Abdullah (Iman Publication) His Code Name Alpha 2 by Elyshakaman (Idea Kreatif) Mi Linda by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 1 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) His Code Name Alpha by Elyshakaman (Idea Kreatif) Mi Veneno 2 by Hudanajwa (Idea Kreatif) Source: MPH
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Lucky Smurfs fans get first look at new Wicklow village
Smurfs fans, young and old, flocked to Avondale from across the country to take in the immersive learning experience, where children don't just play, but 'grow and wear the heart of the Smurfs'. After entering through the 'Shrink Portal', which magically shrunk them down to Smurfs size, children of all ages embarked on an adventure like no other, discovering how everything is bigger when you're a Smurfs! Having received their Smurfs names at Smurfs Base Camp, visitors explored a range of smurfy activities, beginning at the Top Hat Emporium, where they designed their very own Smurfs hat. From there, it was on to the Smurfs Courage Walk, where children braved a rickety bridge blocked by Gargamel, before a quick trip to the Games Smurfication Station for some puzzles and playful challenges. The Smurfs' values of kindness, respect, community and care for the natural world were brought home in a joyful and meaningful way at the Smurfs and Grow station, where children were encouraged to get their hands dirty and pot a plant to the Kindness Portal. Children wrote down promises to do random acts of kindness there, popped them in the magical Super Smurfs Portal, before making their way to the Smurfs stage for a Smurfs show, and snapping photos with their favourite characters.
