Director Raja Gosnell takes Smurfs where they shouldn’t go: out of Smurf Village (an alternate universe that “knows no sadness”) and through a blue moon-induced portal to modern day Manhattan. Hiding from evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria with a prosthetic shnoz)—who’s on a mission to extract the Smurfs’ happiness to become invincible—a band of Smurfs glom onto a yuppie couple (marketing man Neil Patrick Harris and pregnant, irksome Jayma Mays). The attempt to modernize Smurfs fails miserably, with too many desperate cultural references, including a Guitar Hero battle between NPH and a Smurf. The movie’s premise is off to begin with and its other aspects—including the acting, special effects and jokes—are so half-assed, it doesn’t even enter the realm of mediocrity. You kinda feel bad for all the actors who aren’t disguised as Smurfs—how embarrassing.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 3, 2011.
It looks like a horrible videogame meets alvin + the chipmunks. They should have gave out joysticks in the theatre and let the audience control the little blue bastards. It would have been more entertaining that way (even though i’m sure the novelty of THAT would wear off in 5 minuites)
Peyo is rolling in his grave i’m sure… but his kids are swimming in the royalty money.
Let’s see…
CGI characters? check
CGI characters interacting with live characters? check
Smurfs? check
A recipe for a pile of steamy hobo shit