This week I had a pleasant surprise when I received the 2017 smurfs in the post. I was not expecting them until February so to receive them in January was absolute bonus. I am always a tad cautious about making my mind up solely on a picture I had seen on the web and the 2017 smurfs were no exception. So as always I opened up the box and slowly started examining each one.
These smurfs are definitely different to others Schleich has released before. The pvc material used to make the smurfs feels very different. Yes they are still made of a hard material but in the past you could squeeze a smurf and it would give a little but not the new ones.
The look of the 2017 smurfs have also changed quite a bit from previous years. It is almost like the smurfs have been on a diet and lost some weight. Things like their tails and hands appear to be half the size of what they used to be. But the most obvious change is with their eyes and eyebrows. The 2017 smurfs all appear to have the same pair of eyes and thin eyebrows. Previously the pupils and eyebrows used to be hand painted onto the smurf and by doing this it allowed each figurine to display their own personality. Sadly this is no longer the case.
But for me the biggest disappointment is with Valentine Smurfette and Bride. In my opinion they look very bland and it feels that Smurfette has lost some of her feminine touch. Yes she still has her long golden blonde hair but she no longer looks flirtatious. This I found very surprising considering the release of the new smurf movie – The Lost Village where it appears Smurfette appears to play a pivotal role in the film.
I have also found the Smurf with Flowers is top heavy and is constantly falling over unless supported. I refuse to prop my smurfs with things like blue tack or adhesive tape. Otherwise I really like this smurf.
The Groom was originally shown in early pictures with a black suit but my version has the Groom in a grey suit.
The Smurf with key and 4 Leaf Clover are very simple but still very cute. Wearing their famous white trousers and holding out their chosen prop. This should be pleasing for some collectors who felt the Jungle themed smurfs from 2016 were not very smurf like.
Lastly these smurfs were all made in China and include the standard address markings along with a time stamp. Time will tell if they decide to make these in Germany or Tunisia in the future.
Now I just need to be patient and wait for the Movie Set Smurfs!
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B
