Les Schtroumpfs 2

"The Smurfs 2" is a delightful and entertaining family movie that is sure to bring a smile to your face. The film sees everyone's favorite blue creatures return for another adventure, as they team up with their human friends to save Smurfette from the evil wizard Gargamel.

The movie boasts a strong cast, with Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria reprising their roles as Patrick and Gargamel respectively, and new additions like Brendan Gleeson and Christina Ricci bringing fresh energy to the franchise. The Smurfs themselves are as charming as ever, with their unique personalities and quirks shining through.

The film is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate set pieces that transport viewers to the magical world of the Smurfs. The special effects are top-notch, seamlessly blending the live-action and animated elements to create a cohesive and immersive experience.

But what really sets "The Smurfs 2" apart is its heart. The film explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of love, all while maintaining a lighthearted and playful tone. There are plenty of laughs to be had, but also touching moments that will tug at your heartstrings.

Overall, "The Smurfs 2" is a fun-filled and engaging movie that is perfect for all ages. Whether you're a longtime fan of the franchise or new to the world of the Smurfs, this film is sure to delight and entertain.

Gargamel (Hank Azaria) is now a world famous magician. He has created two darker version of Smurfs called Naughties named Vexy and Hackus. Meanwhile Smurfette has doubts about her personality since she was originally created by Gargamel. Papa Smurf had changed her from a Naughtie to a Smurf with a secret spell. Gargamel needs that spell to create real Smurfs to harness the powerful Smurf essence. Gargamel sends Vexy to kidnap Smurfette. Papa Smurf and others return to the real world to rescue Smurfette with the help of Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris), Grace (Jayma Mays) and Victor (Brendan Gleeson).

It's marginally better than the first movie. I like that evil Gargamel is driving the story. Hank Azaria is a good Gargamel. I still wouldn't recommend this for anybody other than little kids. Also I'm not sure why Brendan Gleeson is in this. I would have thought they would add a broad comedian for comic relief instead and then they turn him into a duck. I still wish the Smurfs stay in the forest. They could make it a magical forest. The real world somehow diminishes them not just because of their size.

'THE SMURFS 2': One and a Half Stars (Out of Five) Sequel to the 2011 hit kids' film based on the popular comic-book (which was later turned into a popular cartoon series in the 1980s) by Peyo (a Belgian comic-book artist) about little blue people that live in mushrooms. It once again stars Hank Azaria as the evil wizard Gargamel and Neil Patrick Harris as the Smurfs' human friend Patrick. It also features voices by Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters (who the film was dedicated to, due to his recent passing) and many others as Smurfs. The film was once again directed by Raja Gosnell and written by the same team of writers (with Karey Kirkpatrick joining the team). I'd say it's even worse than the first film in quality, especially since one of my favorite actresses (Sofia Vergara) didn't return this time around. This film revolves around Gargamel (Azaria) kidnapping Smurfette (voiced by Perry), the only female Smurf (which he created), and taking her back to Paris with him. He needs Papa Smurf's formula for creating Smurfs (which Smurfette knows) so he can extract the Smurf-essence from them (which gives him his magical powers). The film introduces two bad Smurf-like critters that Gargamel also created. They're called Naughties named Vexy (voiced by Christina Ricci) and Hackus (voice by J. B. Smoove). The film also gives us a lot of Smurfette's back story and introduces us to Patrick's stepfather Victor (Brendan Gleeson) as well. The first 'SMURFS' movie was bad and this one is even worse. The only thing I did like about the original movie was it co-starred Sofia Vergara (like I said) as a domineering antagonist (Patrick's boss). She was great and extremely sexy in it (like always) but the rest of the movie was a waste. Both films are pointless and about as dumbed down as kids' movies get. I did like the cartoon and comic books when I was a kid but I don't know if a quality live action film could really be developed from them. So I guess I can't complain too much. Still this movie, like the first, is a waste of time. Kids might like it though.

Considering how terrible the first film was, the sequel merely had to be adequate to tower over it. And that it does. Its funnier, better plotted, has some half-decent new characters and best of all, less of the cheesy, badly scripted Life Lesson interludes (though some are still present and as toe-curling as ever). Remember though, this is comparatively speaking... put it up against competition like Wall-E and it'll disintegrate in seconds.

I'm more concerned about the prices though... £12.40 to see this in 3D with glasses included at the Odeon. It would have been even more if I'd admitted to sitting in the luxury section. Oops, my mistake. No wonder there was only 10 other people in with me. Though, one of the kids seemed content on spending most of the duration in the toilet, accompanied by their guardian of course. I dunno about you, but if my offspring dragged me to see an expensive flick and spent the majority of it in the bogs, I'd make sure there no more Moshi Monsters related products for a while. HA sweetie... how you like THEM apples?! Oops sorry, mind wandering.

I'm finding it hard to come up with anything else to add to such an unremarkable product. So, lets just leave it at that, shall we? 5/10

This is an alright enough second instalment for all viewers to watch. The crew could have worked more on this film to make it better but it was still watchable. The storyline of this second instalment film was straightforward and weak. There was not any real direction to it. The cast selection was alright enough. They did not exactly fully commit nor connect to the storyline nor to their respective characters. This second instalment film reveals to viewers that everyone should be accepted for who they really are. During my entire lifetime, I have never been accepted for who I really am. I have always been mistreated. This is an alright second instalment film that could have been better.