I started my first review of The Smurfs (2011) the same way...because IMDb reviewers were doing the SAME thing they are doing to this. It is being absolutely trashed by adults basically saying...it was no fun...for them. THIS IS A CHILDREN'S MOVIE!! It was made for the kids 110% and so what? We can't make films now that are specifically aimed at a certain demographic? The other part of the reviewers are saying that they watched The Smurfs when they were kids (as I did) and they loved it but found this very disappointing. Well, you aren't ten anymore...and many of you haven't seen The Smurfs since then. Anyways..my point is, don't believe all the negative reviews. The Smurfs 2 is a sweet and cute story that brings our favourite Smurfs back in a new adventure. If you or your children enjoyed the first one then this is more of the same. The new film adds another layer by creating some emotional tension between a son and step-father that was actually really touching and definitely had a knot in the back of my throat it was so moving. There are plenty of safe laughs and chuckles to be had and many silly little moments that will have you smile and probably have kids in stitches.
Hank Azaria was amazing as Gargamel in the first film. He absolutely nailed it and brought the infamous villain to life. The Smurfs 2 absolutely capitalizes on that almost to a fault. There is so much more Gargamel in this film. He is still really good but he almost starts to feel like too much, he has so many scenes. Still Azaria is ridiculous and fun and has some great comedic timing and physical comedy as well. Once again, bravo to the film makers for the scene stealer that is Gargamel's cat Azreal. He was once again my favourite part of the film and was hilarious. Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays return as The Smurf's beloved human friends. It was great to have them back in a madcap adventure and both were great. Harris is so talented and has such great charisma on screen. Mays was even more fun than she was in the first one and her hotel scene was very clever and funny. Brendan Gleeson joins the cast as Harris' step-father with good intentions but clumsy delivery. Gleeson is funny and adorable and adds that extra layer of heart I mentioned above. As for The Smurfs, Jonathan Winters, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, Katy Perry and John Oliver all return and fill their smurfy roles to near perfection. Yelchin was probably my favourite this time around but they were all terrific. New to the team were Christina Ricci and JB Smoove and they were absolutely perfect. Smoove was hilarious and perfect as the dim witted Hackus.
Its probably a very good thing that director Raja Gosnell returned for the second film. He has a great handle on these adaptations having done Scooby Doo and the first Smurfs and he clearly loves the source material and I think that's so important. Is there a lot in this film for everyone? No. Was there a lot in the original source material for everyone? No! The Smurfs are cute adorable fun adventurous little blue people for children. We remember them fondly from our children and this brings them to a new generation. I admit that this second instalment probably has less for the grown ups than the first one did, if not just slightly, but can't you become a kid at heart for an hour and a half? Its fun, cute, ridiculous, and if you let them you will smile and enjoy the heart and just have a decent time! 7/10
Hank Azaria was amazing as Gargamel in the first film. He absolutely nailed it and brought the infamous villain to life. The Smurfs 2 absolutely capitalizes on that almost to a fault. There is so much more Gargamel in this film. He is still really good but he almost starts to feel like too much, he has so many scenes. Still Azaria is ridiculous and fun and has some great comedic timing and physical comedy as well. Once again, bravo to the film makers for the scene stealer that is Gargamel's cat Azreal. He was once again my favourite part of the film and was hilarious. Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays return as The Smurf's beloved human friends. It was great to have them back in a madcap adventure and both were great. Harris is so talented and has such great charisma on screen. Mays was even more fun than she was in the first one and her hotel scene was very clever and funny. Brendan Gleeson joins the cast as Harris' step-father with good intentions but clumsy delivery. Gleeson is funny and adorable and adds that extra layer of heart I mentioned above. As for The Smurfs, Jonathan Winters, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, Katy Perry and John Oliver all return and fill their smurfy roles to near perfection. Yelchin was probably my favourite this time around but they were all terrific. New to the team were Christina Ricci and JB Smoove and they were absolutely perfect. Smoove was hilarious and perfect as the dim witted Hackus.
Its probably a very good thing that director Raja Gosnell returned for the second film. He has a great handle on these adaptations having done Scooby Doo and the first Smurfs and he clearly loves the source material and I think that's so important. Is there a lot in this film for everyone? No. Was there a lot in the original source material for everyone? No! The Smurfs are cute adorable fun adventurous little blue people for children. We remember them fondly from our children and this brings them to a new generation. I admit that this second instalment probably has less for the grown ups than the first one did, if not just slightly, but can't you become a kid at heart for an hour and a half? Its fun, cute, ridiculous, and if you let them you will smile and enjoy the heart and just have a decent time! 7/10