The opinions expressed below are strictly my own.
So what could I possibly have against a children’s movie that would cause me to need to vent? Peanuts, that’s what. I grew up watching those little blue people sing their “La La” song and have never had a problem with it. I thought the fact that a movie was being done about it was kind of silly, but then I saw the first one with my kids and thought, “not so bad.” I really like the cast, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Hank Azaria (love him in Birdcage 🙂 ) and the voice over cast as well. Katy Perry was a perfect choice for Smurfette. But then they released number 2.
Have you seen the second Smurf movie? Don’t worry, I am not going to spoil it if you haven’t except to share this one scene. In the movie the main characters Patrick and Grace, played by Neil and Jayma, have a son they named Blue, after those happy little trolls. It is Blue’s birthday party and his grandfather arrives a bit late. Before Grandpa arrived Neil’s character made sure to inform his guests, both children and their parents, that he had taken care of all the special dietary needs, including no peanuts. I knew this scene was coming, I had been warned, but I was not prepared for my reaction. The grandfather bursts in and starts handing out his trademark corn dogs to everyone. One mother asks if they have any peanuts in them and grandpa relies they do not. After the child of the mother who asked the question proceeds to take a bite, the grandfather says, “why would I add peanuts when they are cooked in peanut oil?“
The craziness that ensues is meant to be somewhat comical, with the parents freaking out and the kid dramatically trying to spit out his bite. Neil’s character just looks ticked at his dad and Jayma’s character grabs the phone. That upset me enough and I could tell it caused my ten year daughter some concern because she kept looking at me, a little panicked. Fortunately my four year son, the one with the peanut and tree nut (and egg) allergies in this household, was kind of not really paying attention. The next scene did it for me. We see Neil’s character getting off the phone from talking to the allergic boy’s parents. He says the boy is alright and mentioned his throat swelling and the appearance of hives. The idiot grandfather then says something like, ” what was all the fuss?” and mimics the parents of the child saying, “Oh, he’s dying..“
I paused the movie at this point because I wanted to say something to my kids, but I found I couldn’t. The lump in my throat prevented me from speaking right away and I had to fight back tears. Silly? Not when you have seen what an anaphylactic reaction looks like. Not when you have ridden in the back of an ambulance with your food allergy child. Not when you have sat by a hospital beside, wondering if this time would be the last time. I was so angry with the movie makers at that point that I could hardly see. How dare they? How dare they make fun of a life threatening condition that could kill my child in an instant?
I didn’t want to scare the kids so I composed myself as best I could. William took it all in stride and didn’t even ask about the movie. My sweet daughter, who knows all too well what can happen, consoled me and then we watched the rest of the movie. The subject of food allergies did not come up again, but for the rest of the show I had this pit in my stomach. That pit is there pretty much anytime William is not with his dad or I. I worry ALL THE TIME that he will eat his allergens and be rushed to the hospital. It is something I can not shake, not yet anyway. That is my issue to deal with and I certainly don’t push my fears onto the kids, but they are both very aware.
So why does a children’s movie feel it is okay to poke fun at a serious disease? Would they do that with cancer? Would they make fun of a child in a wheelchair? After seeing The Smurfs 2 something tells me they would. I have heard people in the media say that food allergy parents are overreacting to this scene and should not take it seriously, it’s a movie after all. But how can I not take it seriously when they added that last line, “Oh, he’s dying.” I am all for raising awareness of food allergies and I have no problem sharing my views with anyone who will listen, but not at the expense of my child.
All I can say at this point is shame on whoever wrote this scene and shame on the person who left it in.
FT&PD
Suz
You make a really good point here, it IS life threatening and that is nothing to make light of. No one goes around making fun of parents of kids with other life threatening issues, why this? it really was careless.
Careless is the word. I am sure they were not suggesting that it is not as serious as we all make it out to be, but it was done in a very heartless manner..
YIKES!! I’m shocked that a movie would make a joke of something that is obviously so very serious!! It should absolutely be taken seriously. Its unfortunate and somewhat strange that this would be added in as a joke component in the movie.
Definitely not cool. I had hoped that the accounts I had heard from others were blown up a bit, but it was worse then I thought it could be sadly 🙁
I have not seen this movie, but I’m sorry that it poked fun of a serious issue. You are right that life-threatening allergies are not funny. Let it be an educational opportunity for all parents taking their kids to see this.
Agreed Jenna, I have to look at the positive and that is that more people will become aware of the dangers of food allergies now..
I agree with you. There was no need for that scene in the movie. To poke fun at a life threatening event is never funny, especially with the high rise of food related allergies that are occurring! Hugs! You are a great MAMA BEAR!
LOL, thank you Jenn :-0 I appreciate that.
Wow … I agree with you, that is nothing to make light of! How disappointing in a children’s movie.
Extremely so Sarah 🙁
As soon as Mackenzie & I saw that part with the grandfather , we both looked at each other and started talking about William…. <3
It was not a pleasant time for me. Thankfully William took it in stride, but I was ticked, LOL
That’s terrible that the media downplayed this serious disease as much as they did. Good opportunity to use this as a teaching point with your kids though. Never would have expected a big movie giant to pull a move like that. Very poor taste.
That is the only plus side Sarah, the awareness it will hopefully bring..
It was poor taste on their part. I loved the movie and the other great messages it does support like sticking together, being a family. But yeah this was not cool.
That one scene was unnecessary for an otherwise cute movie..
I am totally with you. How insensitive of them! Definitely NOT cool! 🙁
Ya it was not a smart move on their part at all 🙁
I have not seen the Smurfs 2 movie and I am sorry that the makers of this movie were so thoughtless ans insensitive about this subject. Thank you for this review.
Thank you for your support Megan, I appreciate it 🙂
You make a really good point here, How insensitive of them! Definitely NOT cool
Yes, it was a huge slap in the face sadly ;-(
I didn’t even notice that part of the movie but yes, they should be more sensitive on cases like this.
It was a huge scene Franc, and it really brought home a point..
I wrote a review for Smurfs 2 when it first came out too. I thought what you said made sense too, but the colours of the words made the article a little hard to read. Just my two cents worth though… hope you don’t take offense!
Thanks for the input Tiffany, I appreciate it. NO offense taken. I have decided to not use the colours in this manner anymore for the reason you stated.
I absolutely love this movie & lovely review I totally agree with what you said as the movie highlights many important life situations! And I followed you back on insta xo
Thanks Francine!
smurfs i loved this very much really thanks for sharing and i want to say one thing your approach is such an awesome one
Thank you!
No kidding, this part of the film should have been left out
Yup…
i agree with you completely. i am fortunate that my kids do not have a food allergy, but my niece does, and it is a very serious thing, not something to poke fun at. i’m sorry you had that experience.
Thank you Ruth. I don’t normally make a big deal out of this type of thing, but they took it too far in this movie..
I still haven’t seen this movie, but glad to have read this post before watching with my girl.
My kids thoroughly enjoyed watching the Smurfs when they were kids (many moons ago) I don’t remember anything remotely this inappropriate coming up in the years that they watched it. I really do think that this should be taken out, it’s not in the least bit funny.
I have not seen this movie but i’m shocked that a movie would make a joke of something that is obviously so very serious in our world today.I say to movie makers if you cant send a postive message in Childrens movies find a new job…………
I didn’t see the second one, but that’s sad. Cartoons have always had what I’ll call Disney-sanctioned intolerance towards whatever group they could pass it off on and never has it been ok. At least in today’s day and age people like you are able to call attention to it.
Thanks for reading Katie, I appreciate it. I know that some people think this type of post is over-reacting to the situation, but when you have your own child facing it the story is different. I appreciate your support. 🙂
I am surprised at how they handled the allergy situation too.
I am surprised that they put that in there, that’s not good at all, I haven’t seen this movie but I will think twice about watching it