Synopsis: In this sequel to the hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy The Smurfs, 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? Returning cast includes Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry as Smurfette and Hank Azaria as Gargamel. Brendan Gleeson joins the cast as Victor Winslow.
Release Date: July 31,2013 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Comedy, Children and Family
Film Review
Production
The time has come again to visit Smurf’s Village in The Smurfs 2;
and you should only go if you’re looking for a way to punish your children without the threat of child services being called. The Smurfs 2
has stripped away all of the wonderment and gayity of the beloved Smurfs and the result is a movie that evokes snores from its audience,
children included.
Taking a cue from the pop-up storybooks famously popular with children, The Smurfs 2 opens with Narrator Smurf
reading from Smurfology the story of how Smurfette was created by Gargamel, a real Frankensmurf, and was only later
transformed from being a Naughty Smurf to a sweetie by Papa Smurf. This transformation of course included her changing from
a brunette to a blonde–you can make your own conjectures there as to why that may be vocal feminists. The story ends as
having been a nightmare of Smurfette’s, albeit a true one for her origin story, and Papa Smurf is there to comfort her and let
her know that even though she was not a natural-born Smurf it is what’s inside that counts, and she is all Smurf. Awe, sweet sentiment,
but Gargomel is still her dad and he’s still foaming at the mouth trying to get his hands on Smurf Essencse so he can
accomplish world domination. In the meantime he has become a world-renowned illusionist and is quite the celebrity; Azreal remains
by his side as his trusting, bumbling cat that has far too much of an attitude.
All roads for Gargomel lead to Smurfette, amd with the help of his
Naughties Vext and Hackus, who look like Smurfs but aren’t Smurfs because they lack the essence (just as Smurfette did once), he
kidnaps Smurfette and using his charm, and the promise of family with Vexy and Hackus, her brother and sister, tries to
get her to reveal the secret potion that turns Naughties into Smurfs. If the entire movie sounds a smidge dark for a children’s
feature you would not be wrong. Even the human counterpart B-story, featuring Patrick (Neal Patrick Harris) and his step-father
Victor (Brendan Gleeson) is far from uplifting in any smurfy way–Patrick is battling with abandonment issues from his childhood and
has little love for Victor who shows up unannounced for his son Blue’s birthday party–and then tags along to Paris. Oh yes,
the Smurfs’–Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity–quest takes them to Paris where Gargomel is playing the famed Opera house.
The inclusion of Paris, France has a backdrop does make for plenty of opportunites with scenery and production design, and the
best part of the film is a light show that takes place in the streets of Paris at the end. You don’t come to see the Smurfs
for the rendering of animated cities, even if it is Paris. You come for the comedy, the playfulness, the joy and constant
feel of hope they provide. You love the silliness of each character’s personality, even the grumpy and serious ones. The
Smurfs are magical creatures who bring a smile to your face regardless of your age. They may have the cuteness down with their
looks in The Smurfs 2 but the story itself drudges along without the ligtness it desperately needs.
The Smurfs 2 is a huge mistep in the film’s franchise. The first movie, The Smurfs,
was a much stronger comedy-adventure featuring our favorite blue childhood friends. All you get with The Smurfs 2
is a far from entertaining sequel whose plot doesn’t inspire one to sit through its entirety, or feel any sort
of happiness following the Smurfs along on their quest. If there was a children’s film to take a pass on for the
Summer of 2013, The Smurfs 2 is that movie.
Comedy Factor
The sound of silence…that about sums up the reaction from the audince watching The Smurfs 2, children included.
The laughter you expect to get from smurfy antics is missing, and Gargomel’s missteps are more pathetic than funny.
Vanity Smurf does his best to throw out a line that might make you laugh, always in regards to his appearance, with no luck. The other
Smurfs might as well be in a dramatic animated feature for the lack of jokes they have or hilarious physical comedy bits.
Hackus, the Naughty, might be the most offensive Smurf created to date–he’s obviously mentally challenged, and its not funny.
If you can find something to laugh along at or with in The Smurfs 2 count yourself fortunate as I was not
so lucky, nor was anyone else in the theatre with me, children included.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Raja Gosnell
- Producer(s):
- Screenwriter(s):
- Story:
- Cast: Hank Azaria (GargomelNeil Patrick Harris (Patrick)Brendan Gleeson (Victor Jayma Mays (GraceJacob Tremblay (Blue)Katy Perry (voice of Smurfette)Christina Ricci (voice of Vexy)Jonathan Winters (voice of Papa Smurf)
- Editor(s):
- Cinematographer: Phil Meheux
- Production Designer(s):
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score: Heitor Pereira
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: USA
