Movie Review: Smurfs: The Lost Village

Movie Review: Smurfs: The Lost Village                                                                                   8-23-17

Before Disney and Pixar became equal, Sony Pictures Animation and The Kerner Entertainment Company made two disposable live-action Smurfs movies. However, these Smurfs looked too real and kind of ugly.

They also made drastic changes to the human antagonist Gargamel: Instead of wanting to kill the Smurfs so he can turn them into gold, Gargamel wants to capture the Smurfs so he can harness their energy to rule the world.

The Smurfs (2011) and The Smurfs 2 (2013) were basically a mess. When I heard there was going to be another Smurfs film, I thought it would be live-action like the previous installments. However, when I saw a trailer for this movie about a year ago, I decided to give this film a watch. Unfortunately, I was unable to see it in theaters for personal reasons.

Since most of Sony Pictures Animation's films like Open Season, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and Hotel Transylvania have rather cartoony-looking character designs, it would only make sense to have an all-CGI Smurfs movie. Unfortunately, the film became Sony Pictures Animation's first box-office failure. But is this film worth watching? Let's find out.

Directed by animation legend Kelly Asbury, Smurfs: The Lost Village  tells the story of Smurfette (Demi Lovato), the only female Smurf, trying to find out her purpose in Smurf Village. After finding a mysterious map, she embarks on an adventure with Clumsy (Jack McBrayer), Hefty (Joe Manganiello), and Brainy (Danny Pudi) to go through the Forbidden Forest to find a secret village. However, they have to find the village before Gargamel (Rainn Wilson) gets there first.

Now, what do I think of the movie? Well, it's no 'Horton Hears a Who' or 'Peanuts Movie', but Smurfs: The Lost Village stays quite true to its original source material. I actually liked this film better than Trolls! It seems Sony learned their lesson after two stale live-action Smurfs stuffed with Hollywood production values, product placement, and actors who needed to be recast. Instead of looking creepy, these Smurfs look cute and truer to Peyo's original designs.

The animation of the non-Smurf characters is excellent, too. Gargamel and Azrael look much like their Peyo counterparts.

There are also several new unique creatures and characters, such as fire-breathing dragonflies, a ladybug who's companions with Brainy, glow-in-the-dark bunnies, and Monty, a bird who's acquainted with Gargomel. There is also a village of Smurfs who are  all female, which is a unique twist.

Aside from the gorgeous animation, the story also stays true to Peyo's creations. I bet that cartoon legends William Hannah and Joseph Barbara (who created their own incarnations of The Smurfs in the 1980s) would be smiling from heaven.
With all this said, Smurfs: The Lost Village does have its flaws. One flaw Rachel pointed out is that the male Smurfs (Smurf Village) and the female Smurfs (Smurfy Grove) have very different hobbies. The new female Smurfs also have mild girl stereotypes, though not as offensive as a Loud House episode.

In conclusion, while not as good as Captain Underpants or Cars 3, Smurfs: The Lost Village is a film that deserves a little more recognition.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.