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Title: The Smurfs 2 (2013)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Hank Azaria | ... | Gargamel | |
| Neil Patrick Harris | ... | Patrick | |
| Brendan Gleeson | ... | Victor | |
| Jayma Mays | ... | Grace | |
| Jacob Tremblay | ... | Blue | |
| Nancy O'Dell | ... | Nancy O'Dell | |
| Karim Babin | ... | Room Service Waiter | |
| Gaston Morrison | ... | New York Taxi Driver (as Gaston Morrisson) | |
| Jocelyn Blanchard | ... | Toad Man | |
| Erika Rosenbaum | ... | Pregnant Mom | |
| Carolina Bartczak | ... | Peanut Mom | |
| James A. Woods | ... | Peanut Father | |
 |
Henri Pardo | ... | Father-to-Be |
| Vanessa Matsui | ... | Mother with Camera | |
| Dusan Dukic | ... | Curious Dad | |
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? Written by Columbia Pictures
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Have a good deal of fondness for the original television series, if marginally as a child than an adult. Didn't care for the first feature film from 2011 but didn't find anywhere near as bad as it was made out to be, it had a lot of faults but was semi-watchable.
It's pretty much the same with 'The Smurfs 2', very problematic but semi-watchable. It is hard to say which is better between the two, to me some aspects are done better in one, some are about the same and some are done worse. And contrary to those going blue in the face, defending the film (not bashing at all their right to like it, have no problem with it) and bashing the critics and those who dislike 'The Smurfs 2', it's a family film not a kids film (just because it has animation and has content oriented at younger audiences doesn't mean it's for kids) and there is no law against seeing a sequel to a film one dislikes, it may because of having family members who liked the first and wanted to see the sequel as part of family cinema trips, one may be a Smurf completest and one may be fans of an actor in the film. Why do people have such a problem with opinions and overuse and abuse "freedom of speech" these days?
Anyway, starting with what was good about 'The Smurfs 2', it's a bright and colourful film to look at and while not outstanding the animation and 3D effects are above average. Once again Hank Azaria and Jonathan Winters are perfect as Gargamel and Papa, Azaria looks as if he's having a whizz of a time (not a subtle performance by all means but in all honesty there is nothing subtle about Gargamel as a character) and Winters is the liveliest Smurf characterisation.
Katy Perry is more consistent and heartfelt, what was done with Smurfette gave more heart than there was in the first film. Christina Ricci echoes fond memories of her show-stealing Wednesday Addams in 'The Addams Family' and 'Addams Family Values'. A few amusing moments here and there and the voice work generally is fine.
On the other hand, the story is basic, daft and predictable, with over-obvious plotting and slapstick and one-liners that are more tired and lacking in maturity than witty or clever. The soundtrack is uninspired at best. Darker elements are included here and they don't really gel and makes the tone feel unfocused.
Characters are not particularly well developed, the closest character to being developed and done successfully is Smurfette. The editing could have tighter and more fluid, while Neil Patrick Harris doesn't look as engaged in his more banally written than before role. Brendan Gleeson does his best in an atypical at this point role but doesn't look particularly comfortable.
In conclusion, not particularly good but semi-watchable. 4/10 Bethany Cox