If you’ve got children and they’re chomping at the bit for a future visit to cinema, fear not as THN is on hand offer a look at the upcoming efforts that may keep them quiet for an hour or two. Coming hot on the heels of the JUSTIN & THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR, we have looks at THE SMURFS 2 and FREE BIRDS.
First up is Neil Patrick Harris’ return with a sequel to live-action/GI mix THE SMURFS, which is released in 2D and 3D on 31st July and is again directed by Raja Gosnell.
The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants, and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world¹s greatest sorcerer. It’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?
Finally we have FREE BIRDS coming from HORTON HEARS A WHO and JONAH HEX director Jimmy Hayward. Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler lend their voices to this animated turkey-themed comedy arriving just in time for US Thanksgiving on the 1st November and little later in UK on the 29th November.
In this hilarious, adventurous buddy comedy for audiences of all ages, directed by Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who!), two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history – and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good
Craig was our great north east correspondent, proving that it’s so ‘grim up north’ that losing yourself in a world of film is a foregone prerequisite. He has been studying the best (and often worst) of both classic and modern cinema at the University of Life for as long as he can remember. Craig’s favorite films include THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, JFK, GOODFELLAS, SCARFACE, and most of John Carpenter’s early work, particularly THE THING and HALLOWEEN.
