Opening tonight is the long awaited film (kind of), THE SMURFS! So far, it hasn’t been too well received…with good reason. But considering its only appealing to babysitters, Katy Perry fans, and people who thrive on songs where the only lyric is “la”, moderate excitement doesn’t come as much of a shock.
Set in the Middle Ages, THE SMURFS tells the story of an evil wizard named Gargamel (Hank Azaria) who’s after the Smurfs and runs them out of their village and into a forest. They eventually discover a magical portal that sends them to present day Central Park in New York City (of all places!). Here, they meet a married couple Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace (Jayma Mays, GLEE) and have to try and find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel finds them.
Toss in a few “Smurftaculars” with some 3D visual effects, and yes, we have another terribly mediocre film remake of a once beloved cartoon. (Did ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS and YOGI BEAR teach us nothing?).
But what it lacks in writing, it makes up in its cast. Hank Azaria (THE SIMPSONS) couldn’t have been a better choice for acting as Gargamel, while Neil Patrick Harris just has this charm to him that gets us every time. Plus, we’re known Gleeks here at The Mag, so Emma Pillsbury as Grace is another tip of our hat. The rest of the cast features some SNL voices, even B.J. Novak (THE OFFICE) and Jeff Foxworthy voiced for Baker Smurf and Handy Smurf.
Sure, the movie had great intentions, but since director Raja Gosnell didn’t bother to hire clever writers that could come up with something better than witless lines like “Smurf Happens”, all they did was botch a classic. We’re almost re-considering this past list. – 2/5