THE SMURFS 2

2013, Columbia Pictures

Live action with animation

Rating: PG

Approx. 105 mins.

THE STORY:

In his unending quest to capture Smurf essence for his own evil purposes, Gargamel (Hank Azaria), who is now a magician sensation in Europe, creates 2 near-Smurfs called the Naughties. Gargamel charges them with kidnapping and corrupting Smurfette (Katy Perry), one of his earlier creations who has become a full-fledged Smurf. 

Papa Smurf and some of the less ideal Smurfs go back to the human world to rescue Smurfette. They enlist the help of Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace (Jayma Mays), the humans they met in the first movie, as they travel to Paris to track down Gargamel.

Smurfette is easily won over by Vexy (Christina Ricci) the tricky Naugty and by the feeling of familial belonging she gets from being with her creator/ father and siblings. Ultimately, however, she learns that who you are depends more on who you choose to be than who you are born. 

  

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• Stupid
• Toot

VIOLENCE:

• Some slapstick, nothing notable

TEACHING POINTS:

We are who we choose to be.

THE UPSHOT:

Number of times I marvelled at the 3D effects: 0

Number of times I laughed: 0

Number of times I wished I was watching something else: 14

Since I didn't enjoy the first Smurfs movie, I didn't expect to enjoy the second. And I was not disappointed. I found the story predictable and the subtlety sledgehammer-like. The four-year-old in the seat beside me, however, liked it. I didn't hear a single laugh, but there were some smiles at the cat's antics.

1/5