Homefront movie
7.25 out of 10
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie
8.75 out of 10
Disney's Frozen movie
10.0 out of 10
Delivery Man movie
6.75 out of 10
Thor
8.25 out of 10

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Smurfs 2

COMEDY, SCI-FI/FANTASY

Smurfier the Second Smurf Around

8.00 out of 10 | MOVIE OR DVD

Rated: PG Some rude humor and action
Release Date: July 31, 2013
Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes

Director: Raja Gosnell
Writers: J. David Stern, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Karey Kirkpatrick, based on characters created by Peyo
Cast: Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Jacob Tremblay, Katy Perry, Christina Ricci, Jonathan Winters, J.B. Smoove, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, John Oliver, Frank Welker



SYNOPSIS:  The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer's newest creation - creatures called the Naughties - into real Smurfs.

REVIEW: Scooby-Doo director Raja Gosnell returns to the franchise and the follow up to the 2011 The Smurfs movie. With a story written by a a collection of scribes in the form of J. David Stern, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, David Ronn, and Karey Kirkpatrick, The Smurfs 2 boasts as many writers as their are Smurfs!.


It's Smurfette's (Katy Perry) birthday today and all the Smurfs are putting together a surprise party. What they don't know is that every year she has bad dreams of being created by Gargamel (Hank Azaria) and not being a real Smurf. Papa Smurf (Jonathan Winters) tells her that she's just as much a Smurf as all the other blue friends around. In our world, Gargamel has become a famous magician with the help of the Smurf essence he had stolen from Papa Smurf for his wand. With his magical essence running out, Gargamel hatches a plan that, if successful, will keep Gargamel in as much magical blue essence as he wants. The only thing he needs is the secret formula that Papa Smurf used to make Smurfette's a real blue Smurf. Using his two newly created creatures, Vexy (Christina Ricci) and Hackus (J.B. Smoove) called the Naughtiest, Gargamel sends them to kidnap Smurfette to get the formula out of her. Papa Smurf, Clumsy (Anton Yelchin), Grouchy (George Lopez) and Vanity (John Oliver) all travel to New York, and then Paris, to help track her down. They're also assisted by Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris), Grace (Jayma Mays), Blue (Jacob Trembley) Winslet's, and Patrick's stepfather Victor (Brendan Gleeson). Can the Smurfs and the Winslet's get to Smurfette in time before she is tricked into giving up the secret formula?

The Smurfs return in an and all-new adventure, taking place after the events the first the Smurfs movie. The Smurfs have returned to their hidden Smurf Village and Gargamel, trapped in our world, has become an Internet and global sensation since people have seen him use his Smurf Essence magic. The Smurfs are as cute as ever. The best thing about these movies is that there are so many Smurfs to choose from that it can keep each story different and interesting. Especially for the kids.

The smurfs are as blue as ever and fun to watch with their antics and personalities. The addition of Vexy and Hackus as the Naughties brings even more fun. Hank Azaria's Gargamel is spot on as always. The CGI rendered Azreal (voiced by Frank Welker) brings as much comic relief as Gargamel and then Naughties combine. And with Clumsy in the mix, you can't help but chuckle a bit throughout.

The Smurfs 2 is a tale about family and how you choose to see yourself. Smurfette wrestles with the fact that she was not a true Smurf at the beginning, and magically turn into a Smurf by Papa. While created by Gargamel, and transformed by Papa Smurf, Smurfette needs to find out who she really is. The winlet's have the same issue where grandpa Victor Doyle stepped in to Neil Patrick Harris's character to replace his father for which Harris never forgave him. Both harris and smurfette need to learn that who they are is all about who they choose to be not where they came from.

The Smurfs 2 is filled with voice talent! Besides the main cast of voiced characters, the film boast Fred Armisen as Brainy Smurf, Jeff Foxworthy as Handy Smurf, Alan Cummings as Gutsy Smurf, Joel McCrary as Farmer Smurf, Kenan Thompson as Greedy Smurf, Paul Reubens as Jokey Smurf, Shaquille O'Neal as Smooth Smurf, B.J. Novak as Baker Smurf, Jimmy Kimmel as Passive-Aggressive Smurf, Shaun White as Clueless Smurf, Mario Lopez as Social Smurf, and John Kassir as Crazy Smurf.

The Smurfs 2 is a likable kids mixed animation/live-action film that has a good story, good effects, and a good lesson. You should the first flick to see how the smurfs came to know the winlettes and how gargamel was exiled to our world. There is a little bit of something for kids and adults, you just have to let the Smurf into your heart.

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