“Whoa! Who are they?” That’s what Annie asked the first time she saw a preview for the new Smurfs movie a few months ago. Since then Annie’s interest in all things Smurfs has grown exponentially, and when commercials for Smurfs 2 started to play on TV, she launched a vigorous campaign to get me to take her to see it.
Even though Annie was excited to see the movie, I was on the fence about whether or not I should take her. For one thing, I didn’t know if it would hold her interest because it’s live action (mostly), and not a cartoon like the other movies she’s seen. My main concern, though, was that, from what I could gather from the preview, a big part of the movie is about a couple bad Smurfs who conspire to turn Smurfette naughty. Since Annie can be a tad impressionable, I was concerned that watching Smurfette misbehave for two hours might turn Annie naughty too.
I decided to wait and see if Annie’s interest in Smurfs would taper off, but the other day, when she spontaneously burst out into a chorus of “la, la, la, la, la, la” while eating dinner, I resolved to take her on another one of our Daddy/Daughter Movie Dates to see it.
Annie standing with bad smurf “Vexy,” who she thinks is smurftastic.
So how was it? The good news is that the “turning Smurfette bad” plot was much smaller than the previews made it seem. The bad news, however, is that, from an adult perspective, this movie tested my patience a whole lot more than a Pixar movie. The plot was very simple – the Smurfs were out to rescue Smurfette from Gargamel – and the dialogue was pretty uninspired. The jokes never raised above the level of a Saturday morning cartoon, and though I’m a fan of Neil Patrick Harris, Hank Azaria, and Katy Perry, there wasn’t much for any of them to do.
But who the heck cares what I think? Annie smurfing LOVED this movie. She was laughing, squealing, gawking at the screen with slack jawed wonder, and at the end, when the Smurfs dance to a Britney Spears’ song, Annie jumped out of her seat and shook her groove thang in the aisle. I think what Annie liked so much were all of the things I didn’t. The simple plot was one she could follow, and the Saturday morning cartoon-esque jokes were just her speed. It’s interesting… I think many kids’ films today try so hard to amuse adults that they end up being too clever for kids in a lot of ways. Don’t get me wrong, Annie loves Pixar movies, too, but she really responded to this movie precisely because it didn’t try to appeal to adults.
On the way out of the theater. Look at that post-movie smile!
I interviewed Annie about the movie as we drove home.
Me: “What did you like best about the movie?”
Annie: “Smurfette got saved!”
Me: “And who saved her?”
Annie: “Papa Smurf.”
Me: “What was your favorite thing in the whole movie?”
Annie: “Really, Smurfette getting saved. And then… Vexy!”
(Vexy is the name of one of “bad” smurfs.)
Me: “Was there anything in the movie that was funny?”
Annie: “Yeah. Gargamel’s cat turned big!”
Me: “And was anything scary?”
Annie: “Gargamel.”
Me: Of all the movies you’ve ever seen, is this your favorite?”
Annie: “YES! Wait, no! Tangled!”
Me: “But this one was good?”
Annie: “Yes! I loved this movie!”
So there you have it, Smurfs 2 may not be my favorite movie of all time, but that’s okay. Annie had a great time and for me the joy of these movie trips is getting to spend some quality time with my best girl.
Paula says:
Mike – you are an awesome role models to other dads out there. It doesn’t have to be mom taking the kids to do fun stuff – dads can do it too!
Maris says:
Ditto
mp says:
Dad and Daughters–so sweet! Love the relationship my own 6 year old has with her father. Glad you’re making such special memories. And thanks for the movie review!
Trisha says:
Was on the fence myself about taking my little one. Thanks for the review.
I’m glad you are getting to enjoy one on one time with Annie! I’m sure it makes her feel special during all the transitioning with James. Enjoy your next movie!
Lisa says:
This is something I remember doing with my dad. Going to the movies just us, they are amazing memories I have of is spending time together. I can promise you, Annie will always remember these amazing daddy daughter days!
Kristin says:
Best description of the movie. I took my kids (9 and almost 7) to see this movie on a whim over the weekend. They LOVED it. Afterwards a friend asked me how it was, my response “it was… tolerable”. They certainly didn’t gear the movie towards adults, which was actually a refreshing change. There were no “over their heads” innuendos. It was very clean and actually had a nice message. I chuckled a time or two, but my kids… laughed hysterically.
You are such a good daddy! I am sure Annie will remember more about the fact that you took her than the movie itself as she gets older.
Jana Holdeman Frerichs says:
I can’t say it enough, every girl (and boy) deserves a daddy like you.
Dre says:
I took my girls to see Smurfs 2 on a whim this past Saturday, having seen no previews for it (not having TV does that… Movies & TV shows are a complete surprise). It was tolerable for the most part, I agree, but the message – the one about step fathers loving just as much or more than “real” fathers, struck a chord with me & my girls. The Patrick character needed to see Papa Smurf’s struggle over Smurfette in order to realize how much his step father had done for him, how much he was loved. Possibly too adult for some kids to grasp, especially if they don’t know about step families. But when we got home, my girls smothered their “step dad” (we’re not yet married but they call him their step dad) in hugs and kisses, and thanked him for loving them so much. If a Smurf movie can help them appreciate him before they hit their 20’s or 30’s, I’m a fan!! I’m really glad we went, if only for the increased respect and appreciation they gained.
Lissa says:
There’s a lot of father/daughter songs out there, but this post really reminded me of this country song “Just Fishing”. I think it sums up the spirit of this type of daddy/daughter outing perfectly!
For me & my Dad, it was golfing when I was a little girl. My dad was not an involved dad like you are Mike, but we knew he loved us and going golfing was MY unique special thing with him (my sister didn’t come). I would hit and hit and hit the ball through the course and we would walk around the 9 holes. I’m sure I chatted tons, don’t remember the conversations as I’m sure HE did, but I do remember how awesome and special I felt doing our own thing.