HOLLYWOOD—There’s still family flicks for the entire family as summer winds down on its final weeks. Everyone’s favorite blue creatures are back in action with “The Smurfs 2.” The cartoon has been a fan favorite for decades, I vividly recall watching the cartoon as a kid and loving every minute of it.
The problem I have with the smurfs hitting the big screen is that it’s a live action movie. There is a bit of a problem with the believability element that is hard for me to grasp. If as a spectator you can suspend reality, getting engaged in this sequel should not be a problem.
This chapter sees the return of Papa Smurf, Brainy Smurf, Smurfette, Gutsy Smurf, Clumsy Smurf and the rest of the crew in their quest to rescue Smurfette (voice of Katy Perry) from the villain Gargamel (Hank Azaria). Gargamel has big plans to create his own creation of smurfs by getting his hands on the secret smurf making formula. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but this is an animated picture, so go with the flow.
When Smurfette’s dreams come to fruition, the village is in uproar to do everything they can to rescue their beloved one. This takes the creatures on a journey to New York City to get the assistance of Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays). It becomes a fun-filled journey as the group travels to Paris to stop the devious Gargamel who has used Vexy (voice of Christina Ricci) and Hackus (voice of J.B. Smoove). They don’t look like smurfs, but they sure as do behave like them with their goofy tactics and language talk.
The movie has a strong message for audiences which revolve around the importance of family which comes in various shapes and sizes. We may not always look alike, behave like others and act accordingly, but family is family. Sometimes we’re bonded by blood, at other times we’re bond by similar causes that we fight for.
“The Smurfs 2” drives that message home to the little kiddies. There are laughs throughout the picture, thanks to our blue creatures placing themselves in awkward and hilarious situations as only the smurfs can do. They may be little, but that pack a large bang. It’s a movie that will have you leaving the theater with a smile on the face, reflecting to mend any bad fences with family members.
By LaDale Anderson
