The Smurfs 2

COMEDY, SCI-FI/FANTASY

Smurfier the Second Smurf Around

8.00 out of 10 | MOVIE OR DVD

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

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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

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Watch Trailer

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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Happy Feet Two

Fluffy Song and Dance

Director: George Miller

Writers: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Gary Eck, Paul Livingston
Cast: Elijah Wood, Pink, Ava Acres, Benjamin Flores Jr., Sofia Vergara, Robin Williams, Common, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Hugo Weaving, Hank Azaria, Richard Carter, Anthony LaPaglia

SYNOPSIS: Mumble and Gloria's offspring Erik finds that he can't find his voice or his happy feet. When Erik and his cousins Atticus and Carmen run off to follow Ramon back to his clan, Mumble searches after them.

REVIEW: Who would have predicted that Mad Max and The Road Warrior writer and director George Miller would find himself gathering recent success with dancing and singing animated penguins! Was the 1998 animated pig adventure Babe: Pig in the City a turning point for a career birthed from the motorcycle patrolled sandy wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Australia? Maybe Miller is getting soft (and fluffy) in his old age. Whatever the reason, the winner is the audience. Re-teaming with Happy Feet writer Warren Coleman, and joined by  new writers Gary Eck (The 50 Foot Show) and Paul Livingston (Good News World), Happy Feet Two shuffles, scats and sings its way back into our hearts.

In Happy Feet Two, two-stepping Mumble (Elijah Wood, LOTR trilogy) and Gloria (now voiced by Pink) are raising their new hatchling Erik (Ava Acres, Weeds) who is struggling to find either his singer's voice or his happy feet. Unsure of how he should find the song that is in his heart or how to express it, a depressed Erik chases after a fed-up Ramon (Robin Williams) who journeys to return to his own colony, Followed by Seymour's (now voiced by Common) son Atticus (Benjamin Flores Jr.) and Miss Viola's (Magda Szubanski, The Golden Compass) daughter Bo (Meobh Campbell), the trio and Ramon leave their own colony behind. When Mumble realizes that Erik and the other fluffy hatchlings are gone, he waddles off to corral and return them home. But the task is not as simple as one thinks.

Socially relevant, Miller uses the the vanishing ice caps to make Mumble's and Erik's journey much more difficult. Ice quakes, warming temperatures and a mammoth break away glacier make the journey arduous, as well as returning to the colony impossible. All the while, Mumble finds himself insecure as a father figure as Erik is taken by a strange penguin, Sven (Hank Azaria, The Smurfs), who has the unique ability to fly and to bolster the spirits of those around him. Adding more struggles, always boisterous Ramon struggles to find a mate in standoffish Carmen (Sofia Vergara, Modern Family), butting heads with the beloved large beaked Sven.

Almost as a aside, we also get to follow the story of rebellious Will the Krill (Brad Pitt, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and his friend Bill the Krill (Matt Damon, Contagion). Tired to being a nameless part of the Krill swarm, Will swims to the edge of his universe to find that there is more to life. Bill follows in an attempt to bring Will back into the fold. As Will decides to become an evolved predatory species, we are treated to beautifully detailed, expertly choreographed and hilarious sequences. When Will the Krill tries to take on a seal, every detail of ice crystal and strand of fur are beautifully rendered.

My only complaint is Robin Williams. His Latino-tinged Ramon and tent preaching colony leader Lovelace sound more distracting than endearing, but his characters are colorful enough to get the job done.

Touching, funny and heart-felt, Happy Feet Two is a fine follow-up to the Oscar winning Happy Feet. Choreographed by tap maestro Savion Glover, you will be tapping your feet in the dark. The songs sung by Pink's Gloria are uplifting and heart wrenching. And when Erik finally finds a way to express himself, you should come away with goosebumps, I mean, penguin bumps.

WORTH: Matinee and DVD

The Smurfs

Smurf-tastic Silliness

Director: Raja Gosnell
Writers: Peyo, J. David Stern, Davis N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, David Ronn

Cast: Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Tim Gunn, Jonathan Winters, Alan Cumming, Katy Perry, Fred Armisen, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, Frank Welker

SYNOPSIS: While the Smurf Village is attacked by the evil wizard Gargamel and his cat Azrael, a small band of Smurfs gets sucked through a vortex into modern-day New York City. Once there, they meet a young couple who attempts to help the Smurfs evade Gargamel and help a way back home.

REVIEW: Director Raja Gosnell (Beverly Hills Chihuahua) brings the writings and works of Peyo, and later the 80s Saturday morning cartoon series, to the big screen in a mixed live action and CGI animated adventure. In the same vein as Alvin and the Chipmunks - without the manic antics and high squeaky voices - we open on the Smurf Village where all of the Smurfs are preparing for the Blue Moon festival. We get glimpses of some the vast array of characters we have come to know and love, including Hefty, Vanity, Jokey, Baker and more. But as the evil wizard Gargamel attacks the hidden village, all of the Smurfs escape to the forest except a small band of Smurfs who silp into a vortex while trying to rescue Clumsy Smurf, including Gutsy, Papa, Brainy, Grouchy, and Smurfette. Hot on their trail to extract the essence of Smurfs to give him unbridled power, Gargamel and Azrael follow through the magical wormhole to our modern day New York City in pursuit.

Targeted at a new generation of kids, The Smurfs is a fine adventure. The blue Smurfs, complete with their hats and pants, blue little tails and character trait namesakes, are proudly created in a 3D way. Even though they look alike, each has a look all their own. Of course, Papa with his red hand and beard, Gutsy with his kilt, Brainy with his glasses, and Smurfette with her... you know,,, blond hair and dress, are obviously different. But Clumsy and Grouchy could be mistaken for each other if not for the painstaking attention to detail and the strong voice cast. Jonathan Winters' smooth calming voice suits Papa. Alan Cumming provides Scottish brogue for Gutsy. Katy Perry, not an obvious choice other than for a end credit song, does Smurfette proud. George Lopez takes on a grouchier nature with Grouchy Smurf. Fred Armisen from SNL is the perfect Brainy Smurf, sounding almost identical to the cartoon voice I remember.

But the center of Smurfdom on NYC is Anton Yelchin as the well-meaning, if accident-prone Clumsy Smurf. Although he is the one who accidentally leads Gargamel to the village, gets the Smurfs sucked through to our world, and gets into endless trouble, his baby-blue eyes and soft heart cannot keep you mad at him for long. Especially when all he wants to be is a hero!

For the real world talent, Hank Azaria brings to life the evil Gargamel perfectly. Teamed with his comic sidekick cat Azrael (sometimes real, sometimes CGI), Gargamel is equal measure blind ambition for magical powers, obsession over blue critters only three apples high, and comedic stupidity. Every time Gargamel passes by the steam coming up from a NYC manhole cover, he can't help but retreat and come through with villainous drama. Rounding out the cast are Neil Patrick Harris at Patrick Winslow, a marketing executive working for impossible boss Odile (played by Modern Family's Sofia Vergara) and whose life is turned upside-down by the arrival of blue platoon of critters. His wife, Grace, (played by Glee's Jayma Mays) shares his worries but takes in the Smurfs with joy and hopes of good luck, as she hopes to soon bring her own new arrival into the world.

For all of the kids who now are being introduced to the Smurfs, and for all of the adults who want to wax nostalgic about the cartoon pals they grew up with, The Smurfs is a fine, funny and fun adventure. The Smurfs are cute, the story is sweet and Azrael still mews and covers her head with her paws every time Gargamel does something silly. So... if you love the Smurfs, let's get smurfing!

WORTH: Matinee and DVD

Hop

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Director: Tim Hill

Writer: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch

Stars: James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins, Hugh Laurie

RANT: Remember my rant about making choices about what movies to see? Now, a decision was made for me! Off I go to the movies to see Hop, functioning as an honorary uncle and grandfather! We will see how will behaved they all are. And, of course, I will be sure to not sit in front of any of them!

SYNOPSIS: E.B., the Easter Bunny's son, heads out to Hollywood to break in the rock 'n' roll biz as a drummer, abandoning his father's hope to pass on the tradition of Easter Bunny to him.

Filling a holiday season movie void, director Tim Hill takes on a "tale" of the Easter Bunny legacy. But when E.B., the next in line to the Easter Bunny mantle, decides that he does not have the right stuff to be the big bunny, he instead tries to live his dreams of being a rock 'n' roll drummer in the non-magical world. Along the way, he shacks up with a slacker, Fred, who is also trying to get his life in order. All the while, both Fred and E.B. live under the shadow of fathers who expect big things from their sons. Finally, toss in a second-in-command chick with plans to overthrow bunnies as the distributors of holiday candy, and you have a recipe for some kid-friendly fun.

Not as engrossing for kids of all ages, Hop, from the studio that brought us the wildly successful Despicable Me, still delivers laughs and tears to those of us with the heart of a child (or at least the mentality, like me). Russell Brand reels his manic side back in as a voice over talent, to delightful results. You can still hear the wild man trying to get out, but we are treated with enough Brand-iose mannerisms to appeal to all. James Marsden returns to the live action/animated genre as Fred, still able to interact with the imaginary critters set before him. He is not as gallant as he was in Enchanted, but since he is a slacker with daddy issues, its hard to compare the two roles. The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco comes in as Fred's sister, Sam. Gary Cole is Fred's father, Henry, and Elizabeth Perkins is his mother, Bonnie. Hank Azaria rounds out the cast as the frustrated, scheming chick, Carlos, bent on ousting the bunnies as the prime Easter Bunny representatives.

There is plenty for the kids, from the Pink Beret Royal Easter Bunny guard bunnies tasked to find E.B., to pratfalls with large dogs, to pooping out jelly beans, to a chick that can't stopping dancing when the music plays, to multiple scenes with E.B. banging out some sweet thumps on a drum kit. But for every good scene, there are some lulls that parents will be bored with. Even some of the kids may find themselves distracted from the kaleidoscope of color on the silver screen. Maybe Russell Brand's E.B. is still too kinetic, cause when he isn't in the scene, there seems to be a vacuum.

Sporting a Santa Clause-inspired ending, the kids will enjoy Hop. But parents may hope for Easter Sunday to come ad go. I give Hop a 3.5 for the kids, and 2.5 for the adults.

WORTH: Matinee or DVD