It's the greatest show on Smurf...

Film brings the smallest heroes in the universe to a new generation

- BY LYNN RUSK

THE Smurfs have been delighting audiences since 1958, when Belgian comic writer and artist Pierre Culliford, known as "Peyo," first created the tiny blue characters.

Since then, these small forest-dwelling creatures, who live in whimsical mushroom-shaped houses, have become a global phenomenon, inspiring books, movies, toys, and one of the most successful and longest-running Saturday morning television series in history.

Now, nearly seven decades after their debut, a new animated film by Paramount Animation starring Rihanna, James Corden, and Nick Offerman is set to reintroduce the beloved Smurfs to a whole new generation.

Directed by American animator Chris Miller, best known for Puss In Boots, Smurfs follows Smurfette, voiced by Rihanna, as she leads the Smurfs on a daring mission into the real world to rescue Papa Smurf, voiced by John Goodman, from the clutches of evil wizards.

Rihanna, 37, not only voices the film's lead character but also serves as a producer and contributes an original song to the soundtrack, titled Friend Of Mine.

INVIGORATING

The Barbadian-born singer, actress, and entrepreneur, said: "Working on this film in so many different roles was every bit as thrilling as it was challenging.

"It was invigorating and exciting for me to not only embody a character but also bring my musical life into the mix.

"We worked with music producers and choreographers whose work I admire. To put those two worlds together was a win-win for everyone, it pushed us all to challenge our artistry."

A lifelong Smurfs fan, Rihanna recalls growing up in Barbados with limited television options for kids.

She remembers: "So many mornings, I woke up long before I was due to get ready for school just to get that dose of The Smurfs.