The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants - and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs - Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and takes her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world's greatest sorcerer. It's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her!
Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexi and Hackus - or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?
The Smurfs 2 (2013) - Only for Fans Reviewed And Posted by James Bjorkman: The original film in the Smurfs series, "
The Smurfs (2011)," was not a favorite of the critics. It did, however, do good business, especially overseas where the classic comic strip originated. When an animated film grosses over $500 million, you can pretty much expect a sequel, so Sony Pictures Animation didn't hesitate. It quickly rolled out the unoriginally titled "The Smurfs 2" (2013). Directed again by Raja Gosnell and written by J. David Stem, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, David Ronn and Karey Kirkpatrick, this sequel does have a certain charm. That may simply be due to the fact that it is a relief to find an animated film that isn't yet another Superhero or action film that follows directly in the footsteps of every other Superhero or action film. There's no Batman or Superman! So, we're
off to a great start. That said, "The Smurfs 2" is unlikely to win many awards for brilliant filmmaking. Like the original, it is split between animation and live-action scenes, which can be jarring. It isn't particularly funny for a comedy, and it has dark elements that seem weirdly out of place in light summer fare.
However, the animation is good and the characters often endearing. If you are a fan of the original film, you probably will like this one as well, as it continues the narrative with the same actors and characters while throwing in just enough new plot twists to keep things interesting. Smurfette (Katy Perry) is worried
Katy Perry having some fun promoting "The Smurfs 2"
that the other Smurfs are shunning her for some reason. Her birthday is approaching, and, unbeknownst to her, the other Smurfs are working hard to keep their plans for a surprise party quiet. Too quiet, as it turns out. Combined with recurring nightmares she has been having about her betraying the village to Gargamel (Hank Azaria), Smurfette becomes paranoid and leaps to the conclusion that the other Smurfs are suspicious of her and no longer want her around. Gargamel, meanwhile, is using his Smurf essence to entertain Parisians with magical sorcery. Unfortunately for him, he is running low on the essence and
Circle of Smurfs
doesn't know the formula. He creates the "Naughties," Vexy (Christina Ricci) and Hackus (J.B. Smoove), to open a portal to the Smurf village using the Eiffel Tower as a gateway. The plan is to go to Smurf Village and kidnap Smurfette, getting the formula for the Smurf essence from Papa Smurf (Jonathan Winters) as ransom. Everything works as planned, but the portal turns out to be so small that only Vexy can fit through it. Vexy goes through and grabs Smurfette, bringing Smurfette back to Paris to become Gargamel's hostage. Another Smurf sees Vexy kidnapping Smurfette, and he quickly tells Papa Smurf. Papa creates magic crystals that will enable a band of Smurfs to return to New York City and enlist the
Hank Azaria plays Gargamel, watches Smurfette use her wand
help of their friend, Patrick Winslow (Neil Patrick Harris), to retrieve Smurfette. Clumsy (Anton Yelchin), Grouchy (George Lopez) and Vanity (John Oliver) wind up using the crystals through an accident, and they, along with Papa Smurf, travel to Winslow's apartment. There, they reunite with the affable Winslows and meet Patrick's stepfather Victor Doyle (Brendan Gleeson). They all, including Patrick's wife Grace (Jayma Mays), travel to Paris in order to confront Gargamel. Finding Gargamel at his stage show, Patrick and Grace distract him while the Smurfs search for Smurfette. Smurfette, though, escapes on her own, chased by Vexy and Hackus. They catch Smurfette and return her to Gargamel's apartment, where
Papa Smurf, voiced by Jonathan Winters
Gargamel charms her with the gift of a dragon magic wand and falsely claims that he, not Papa Smurf, is her father. The Naughties are losing substance due to the diminishing Smurf essence, so Smurfette gives Gargamel the secret formula. Gargamel uses it to turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, then places them into his Smurfalator to power up his own dragon wand. Papa, Grouchy, Vanity and Clumsy, meanwhile, are still trying to find and rescue Smurfette. Gargamel captures them, though, and adds these Smurfs to the Smurfalator. Patrick and Victor then find Gargamel and destroy the Smurfalator, ruining the Smurf
The Naughties and Smurfette
essence in the process but rescuing their Smurf friends. Gargamel has grown stronger due to the Smurfalator, but Vexy and Hackus team up with the other Smurfs and use their own magic wand to fight him. They send him flying through Paris, ultimately causing a firewords explosion for all of Paris to enjoy. The storyline of "The Smurfs 2" is fairly clever in finding a way to work the engaging Neil Patrick Harris into the storyline once again. There is a satisfying conclusion, as Gargamel gets his inevitable comeuppance,
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