'Smurfs: The Lost Village' - Movie Review

'Smurfs: The Lost Village'
U/A; Animation/Adventure/Comedy
Director: Kelly Asbury
Cast: Demi Lovato, Mandy Patinkin, Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer, Joe Manganiello, Danny Pudi, Julia Roberts
Rating:

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, the evil wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson) is hot on the trail of Smurfette (Demi Lovato), Brainy (Danny Pudi), Clumsy (Jack McBrayer) and Hefty (Joe Manganiello) who have embarked on a journey through the Forbidden Forest to find a mysterious village in the hope that they can warn them(the Smurfs) of the impending evil.

Smurfette (Demi Lovato), is also complexed by her existential plight of being the only female Smurf in existence and having a name that doesn't describe her central purpose in life. She was once a piece of clay brought to life by the fiendish Gargamel as part of his plot to capture Smurfs and harness their magical powers and Smurf leader Papa Smurf (Mandy Patinkin) converted her into a good Smurf with his own magic portion.

It's interesting to find an animated movie targeted at the toddlers and pre-teens, that talks about an existential crisis and having a name that doesn't map out one's specific life purpose. But Smurfette here feels the exclusion and blames herself for the evil that befalls the Smurfs. This may sound a bit deep for the target group intended but it's done in such a flighty, enjoyable manner that you feel the flowery exuberance of light-heartedness and frolic in the ensuing adventure. The story goes all over the place before it can come to a conclusion and even that doesn't quite seem like one. The new Smurfs don't look much different from the familiar ones so there's not much imagination at play here. Animation is pleasantly contoured and racy enough to hold your attention. The songs are also a welcome addition. This one's a roller-coaster journey full of action and danger(in fun form),and certainly a joy to behold for the young and the old. There's nothing much to think about... so just enjoy!