Horst in Translation ([email protected])
"The Legend of Smurfy Hollow" is a recent 20-minute Smurfs movie that runs for 20 minutes and was made for television. And even if it was nominated for an Annie Award (lost to "Toy Story of Terror"), I cannot see the appeal really. In my opinion, this is not better than the films they recently made that are half live action, half animation. This one here is 100% animation. Hank Azaria voices Gargamel, the character he also plays in the movies. And there are other notable cast members in here: Fred Armisen and Alan Cumming (Eli Gold, "The Good Wife") lend their voices to the protagonists in here and Anton Yelchin may be a name to some as well. Director Stephen Franck is not too famous and this is also his first directorial effort, and only one so far. Brainy and Gutsy clash in a contest in here, but things get more serious when Gargamel joins in and a spooky, mystical character comes to play too. You may guess which one from the title. And nonetheless, this is a mostly a comedy. There are dramatic moments, but it's nothing really serious. Too bad, the comedy really isn't that good. The only somewhat funny quote was "has Gargamel written all over it". Pretty disappointing film, nowhere near the level of the old Smurfs television series. Not recommended.
