Movie Review: Smurfs 2

Story: The Smurfs are back in modern times to save Smurfette from Gargamel and the Naughties.

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

 

Review: The movie take place after the events of the first live-action/computer generated movie. If you haven't seen that yet, I suggest you rent or buy a copy or check out a local cable network if they are showing the first one.

 

Just like the last one, the Smurfs are always the heroes. But in each story, there is always one key character just like the last movie and the cartoon series that made it popular during my childhood. Thanks to the computer generated imagery, the Smurfs are more life-like than in the cartoons.

 

Although the voice actors are the popular celebrities, they did a great job playing the part. I never thought Anton Yelchin was able to do character voices. He was the new Pavel Chekov in JJ Abrams' Star Trek and the main character in the newer version of Fright Night. His performance as Clumsy was comical.

 

Katie Perry lent her voice as Smurfette and it suits her. But it was the late Jonathan Winters who made Papa Smurf sounded wise and caring which I found better than his predecessor in the old animation. Too bad he passed away after the sequel was made.

 

There are many Smurfs back then but I noticed there were newer Smurfs that was created only in this movie besides the dark side of the Smurfs called the Naughties. The Naughties are quite modern and more distinquishable unlike some Smurfs who appears similar but can be distinquish by their characteristics like Clumsy.

 

The best part is here is how Hank Azaria transforms into Smurf nemesis Gargamel. He really looked and sounded like in the old animation. The make up effects can beat any computer imagery anytime. His cat Azrael may look like a real cat unlike in the old animation but he was just as funny.

 

Cristina Ricci and JB Smooth joins the voice cast as the Naughties as well as Brendan Gleeson who plays Patrick's step-father. Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays reprises their role as the Winslows, the close friends of the Smurfs in the modern world.

 

Smurfs 2 has no violent themes for the whole family to enjoy. Smurfs 2 is distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines. For more reviews and upcoming movies, follow Mark Templar on Twitter and like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.