Smurfs 2 (12/03/13)

Rated PG for some rude humor and action

Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, George Lopez (voice) and Katy Perry (voice)

Directed by Raja Gosnell (Smurfs and Scooby-Doo)

More Smurf.

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 brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world¹s 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 Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?

It’s safe to say I walked into a Smurfs sequel with low expectations.

I knew there would be slapstick violence, a retread story and embarrassment for the human cast members. A Smurf will probably break wind and at some point during the tired insertion of the word “smurf” as an all-purpose modifier, it will be substituted for a profanity. (“Are you smurfing kidding me?”)

But there’s a dark and pointlessly negative vibe to Smurfs 2 that makes it unfit for those young moviegoers who one would think was the target audience.

Neil Patrick Harris returns as the live-action counter-part to the animated Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Clumsy Smurf and friends…and actually seemed more uninterested than I was. Worse yet, Harris’ character – a bit fussy, but likable in the first film – is not as likeable in the sequel. You might start rooting for Gargamel.

That was a joke. Hank Azaria returns as the Smurf-hating wizard, and is just as ugly and repulsive as in the first film, with even more screen time. There is nothing to root for in The Smurfs 2, other than a box office disaster to prevent a sequel.

What’s not a joke are all the modern updates, including a Facebook page for Azrael the cat, and Nelly Furtado on the soundtrack for the Smurfs to shake their little blue butts to. But what is really “smurf” is the evil version of Smurfette. She is portrayed as being a brunette before she is “saved” and turned by magic into a little blond flirt, who pouts to get what she wants from all the boys in the village. Ugh!!

Please no more Smurf movies, it’s a “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The whole story line of the evil Smurfs and magic may be disturbing for younger viewers. Other than that it’s a lot of potty humor and “smurf” words instead of curses.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. In one scene Papa Smurf tells Smurfette that, “It doesn’t matter where you come from, it only matters what you choose to be.” Why did her tell her that?


2. Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? What happened?


3. Have you ever been excluded from a group? How did it feel?


4. Sometimes we are excluded because of the way we look, dress or act. READ 1 Samuel 16:7
   
   People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
   
   What are some ways we can look at people’s hearts and not the outward appearance?


5. What do you think would happen if we started looking at people’s hearts and not their outward appearance?