The latest attempt to revive the iconic Smurfs franchise, Smurfs, serves as decent entertainment for children while tapping into the nostalgia of parents who grew up with the original 80s Saturday morning cartoon.
‘Smurfs’ Review: A Nostalgic Reboot with Rihanna and an All-Star Cast
The latest attempt to revive the iconic Smurfs franchise, Smurfs, serves as decent entertainment for children while tapping into the nostalgia of parents who grew up with the original 80s Saturday morning cartoon. Although I was beyond the age of appreciation when the Smurfs, created by Belgian comic artist Peyo in 1958, became a hit, I have my own memories of the franchise. During my time writing for children’s television at NBC, I was tasked with crafting interstitial vignettes featuring the Smurfs, which ultimately flopped. “Smurfette and Papa Smurf would just never have conversations like this, Pete. Do you have any idea who they are?” That sentiment makes me wonder if the filmmakers behind this latest iteration truly understand the characters themselves.
New Adventures in Smurfdom
In my quest to explore various adaptations of Smurfdom, including 2017’s Smurfs: The Lost Village, I find that the franchise has undergone several transformations. The new fully CGI animated film features none other than Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette and also as a producer. The previous film featured Demi Lovato in the same role, so it seems a natural progression to enlist an even bigger musical star. This film includes 14 original songs, including a new track for Rihanna titled “Friend Of Mine.” While some songs are catchy, none stand out as particularly memorable. Rihanna delivers a commendable performance, but it’s hard not to notice that Smurfette sounds just like her.
Plot Overview
Directed by veteran Chris Miller, known for his work on Puss In Boots and Shrek The Third, and written by Pam Brady, whose past credits include South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut, the film’s storyline raises questions about whether a new generation is eager for these lovable blue citizens. The Smurfs now find themselves somewhere between the 7 Dwarfs and Minions, potentially overshadowed by newer favorites like Bluey.
In the hidden Smurfs Village, all seems well until patriarch Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) is kidnapped and thrown into another universe by the villainous brothers Razamel and Gargamel (voiced by JP Karliak). These antagonists are working for the Evil Alliance of Wizards, who possess three of the four magical books needed to control the world. The fourth book, known as Jaunty (voiced by Amy Sedaris), is hidden away, with only Papa Smurf knowing its location.
See More ...
The Guardians of Good
The Guardians of Good, led by the clever Smurfette and her companion No Name (James Corden), embark on a quest to rescue Papa Smurf. Alongside Papa’s brothers, Ken (Nick Offerman) and Ron (Kurt Russell), they journey through Paris, Munich, and the Australian Outback. Along the way, they encounter various new characters, including the fierce Mama Poot, voiced by Natasha Lyonne, and a diverse voice cast including Daniel Levy, Sandra Oh, and Octavia Spencer. Despite the star-studded lineup, the script lacks the sharp dialogue that would elevate the film, especially when compared to last year’s animated hits.
In conclusion, while Smurfs is visually colorful and serves as a time-killer for young audiences, it ultimately falls short of expectations, particularly in light of the impressive animated reboots from studios like Paramount Animation. Undemanding kids may enjoy it, but it leaves much to be desired for those seeking quality storytelling.
