That The Smurfs was a two-time Emmy winner for Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series is somewhat amazing, although ‘critical quality' is not likely to be the reason that plenty of folks my age have been simply salivating over the prospect of finally seeing the adventures of the titular little blue critters on DVD. And here they are: the first 19 uncut cartoon episodes from the debut 1981-82 season are presented on this double-disc set in all their English-mangling glory (“it's such a smurfy day”). Of course, even as a kid I knew—we all knew—that there was something deeply disturbing about a village comprised of 100-plus boy smurfs and only one girl, but I had either completely forgotten or was never aware that Papa Smurf transforms Smurfette, in an early episode here, from a mousy brunette into a bombshell blonde. He considers her “new and improved!”—but then again, he “hates daughters,” as he informed us earlier in the same episode. It's enough to make you want to side with the “evil” wizard Gargamel and his crazy cat Azrael, who want to destroy all of the smurfs (it's hard not to sympathize). DVD extras include the bonus episode “The Smurfs' Springtime Special” and a music video. Optional. (M. Johanson)
The Smurfs: Season One, Volume One
Warner, 2 discs, 345 min., not rated, DVD: $26.98 Volume 23, Issue 3
The Smurfs: Season One, Volume One
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