Rated PG for some mild rude humor and action.
Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Hank Azaria, Jonathan Winters (voice), George Lopez (voice), Alan Cumming (voice), Paul Reubens (voice), Katy Perry (voice) and Kenan Thompson (voice)
Directed by Raja Gosnellm (Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Yours, Mine & Ours)
That movie was smurf.
When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the Smurfs out of their village, they’re forced through a portal, out of their world and into ours, landing in the middle of New York’s Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.
Thank you Hollywood for ruining another fond childhood memory – yes, I am still upset about The Dukes of Hazzard and GI Joe!!
This really is just the latest in the many “we don’t need a new idea let’s just recycle from 20 years ago” movies. That’s pretty much all you need to know. If you enjoyed the cartoon as a child you won’t like this because it’s not as innocent as you remember…although it is just as annoying. If you are too young to remember the cartoon…I really don’t think you will get or even care about this one.
And in typical Hollywood style, the updated version is a little more off color than it was when I was growing up.
If you are 30+ then you remember how the word “Smurf” meant anything and everything. And you probably even used it a time or two yourself. But now the word means one of many curse words that would have easily given Smurfs a PG-13 or even R rating. For example: “oh my smurf,” “where the smurf are we?” “smurf me!” “I’ll be smurfed!” and “son of a smurf.” Even Neil Patrick Harris goes off saying, “Smurfity smurf, smurf, smurf!” and then Gutsy says, “There’s no call for that kind of language, laddie.”
Really Hollywood….really?
I say, Fa, la, la, la, la, la – Skip It.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Besides the “Smurf” language, there are a few other questionable comments – so I would say the kids should skip this one too.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: The Smurfs are all about community. They live, work, play and smurf (whatever that means) together. As Christians we too are called to live in community. So what does…or perhaps we should ask, what is that suppose to look like?
Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Take a moment and have your child/student read Philippians 2:1-3, 14-18
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Which of the above phrases stand out to you?
Besides “Smurf”, what words would you use to describe this kind of community?
What words would you use to describe the community at home? School? Youth Group?
What usually causes conflict within a community? (Try to draw out the idea that when people are selfish it leads to conflict.)
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: So let’s take a moment and discuss what areas we tend to be selfish. (Be prepared to go first)
What would happened if in _______ (describe an above scenario) if you had acted selflessly?
What steps can you take this week to be less selfish?
