La La La La La La, sing a happy song! It's an intro will never forget for not only its ability to get stuck in my head, but also for the show it represents. The Smurfs' legacy has extended over the decades into a plethora of forms primarily in the TV shows and movies of the 80s. After a six-year hiatus from the live action movies, the blue creatures return to the silver screen to try to regain footing. Will the new style work, or does it fall much like the character Clumsy Smurf? Robbie K here with a review on the Smurfs: The Lost Village. Let's get started.
LIKES: Animation style works Feels like a Smurfs Adventure Surprisingly emotions Soundtrack
Summary: When I saw the trailers for this film, I had my doubts after seeing the definition the live action movies did. Fortunately, the animation works and feels more Smurf like than the previous movies. Our cast of blue minis has fluid movement and style that is representative of the classic series, as the colorful world and all its creatures pop in the same happy, righteous style they capture all those years ago. However, the animation is not the only thing that represents the classic style. The adventure of Lost Village is representative of the classic Smurfs cartoon, filled with epic silliness and kid friendly action for all to enjoy. Much of the audience targeted by this film, will enjoy all the quirky jokes and simplistic scenes, sure to feel their hearts fill with joy at all the happiness packed in this movie. This movie isn't all sunshine and rainbows though, as the film has a little more emotional punch than I expected, with a few sequences well-crafted to derail the ecstasy this movie elates. And if all that isn't enough to convince you the movie is fun, then the soundtrack will certainly bring this point home. You will certainly find the musical numbers full of energy and may find yourself dancing in your seat
like me. Not the most unique, but the tracks picked for this film are quite perfect for the scene and would be one CD to pick up.
DISLIKES Rushed at times Lost Potential Anticlimactic Ending Gargamel not as funny
Summary: Smurfs adventures have never been long, but when in cartoon series form you had plenty of episodes to tell a complete story. Not the case for this film. Sure, they wrap up a lot of the ties, but many times the film seems rushed, leaving things underdeveloped in an attempt to cram everything into the short run time. While I give the editing props, I also sigh at the lost potential of this movie. Lost Village does a nice job showing off the Forbidden Forest and giving us some unique flora and fauna to the world. Yet, the trek could have had a few more obstacles for the heroes to challenge before getting to their goal. Not that big a deal, okay how about the fact that some of your favorite Smurfs have been tossed to the secondary bin including Papa Smurf the legendary leader. If that still isn't enough, then how about the fact the new tribes of Smurf girls are very underdeveloped. After a cool introduction and sweet styled montage, the girl Smurfs are almost as useless as Gargamel's jokes. No cool moves, no special magic, and almost very little importance to the plot, the girl Smurfs tribe really could have been taken further to make it worth all the casting they did for voices and the money they spent. And because of their minor involvement, and a predictable story line, the exciting climax at the end
was so climactic as it was an animated light show. Had I not had to struggle through the forced comedy of Gargamel, that often devolved into mindless, one directional banter, that few above the age of seven will enjoy. Really missed Hank Azaria's delivery and writing on this one.
The Verdict:
The Smurfs Lost Village is a nice reintroduction of the gang back into the modern world with the feel, design, and energy the show always had. However, the lost potential, rushed development, and anticlimactic moments certainly took away from all the potential the movie could have brought. Perhaps instead of a movie, the Smurfs should have been picked up by Netflix and the show restarted for the new generation of streamers. Needless to say, this movie isn't so much theater worthy (outside of music and animation) and would recommend waiting for this one to hit home.
My scores are:
Animation/Adventure/Comedy: 6.5 Movie Overall: 5.0
