‘Smurfs’ Review: Rihanna and James Corden Lead All-Star Voice Cast in a Reboot That Chooses Chaos Over Charm

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It’s been eight long years since the last Smurfs movie in cinemas, and now a fresh batch of very young kids are eagerly waiting to see their beloved animated characters on the big screen. Unfortunately, what they receive is Paramount’s new reboot with an excessively large ensemble cast whose names might mean nothing to them but will offer some comfort to their adult companions, who would probably prefer watching the latest I Know What You Did Last Summer in the neighboring multiplex theater instead.

Titled less creatively as “Smurfs”, this recent adaptation unfortunately lacks the enchantment and orderliness that one expects from animated productions. Instead, it offers a disorganized spectacle that serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls in eliminating publicly funded children’s television. Directed by Chris Miller, known for “Puss in Boots” and “Shrek the Third”, who also voices Grouchy Smurf, watching this film makes it clear why he identified with this character.

The screenplay for this movie is by Pam Brady, who has a history of creating unconventional animated films like “South Park: Bigger, Long & Uncut” and “Team America: World Police“. This suggests that the film could be a clever satire. However, unfortunately, it isn’t. Instead, the plot follows a predictable pattern with evil wizards aiming for global domination. In this instance, they kidnap Papa Smurf (John Goodman) to obtain a magical book needed for their nefarious plans. Although I couldn’t fully grasp the storyline myself, it seemed rather confusing. Asking a nearby seven-year-old to clarify might have been inappropriate.

In summary, Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) is tasked with guiding her fellow Smurfs on a rescue mission for their elder. One of them, No Name, is grappling with an identity dilemma since he doesn’t have a unique talent like other Smurfs such as Hefty, Worry, and Vanity. James Corden voices No Name, and if you’re longing for more Carpool Karaoke, you’ll be delighted to know that Corden sings a powerful ballad in this adventure.

Absolutely, this film features animated characters who occasionally burst into musical numbers, including full-fledged dance routines. However, none of the songs, not even Rihanna’s “Friend of Mine,” leave a lasting impression. Yet, there are plenty of them to fill the expected soundtrack album.

In this new Smurfs adventure, they find themselves venturing out of their magical world and into places like Paris, the Australian Outback, and Munich. However, these locations serve as jarring reminders of Sony’s past attempts at blending animation with live-action, which didn’t turn out so well. The Australian segment even includes a song featuring CGI kangaroos, which one character accurately calls “strange.” It also introduces us to the Snooterpoots, small, feathered creatures resembling Minions, who will likely be available at toy stores soon. Their leader, Mama Poot, is voiced by Natasha Lyonne, who uses her unique gravelly voice to create some funny moments. The Smurfs also delve into different dimensions, which feels like too much of the same from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In this animated adventure, I found myself caught up in a whirlwind of family dynamics. The antagonists, Razamel and Gargamel, are wicked brother sorcerers played by JP Karliak, constantly clashing due to their fierce rivalry. On the other hand, Papa Smurf isn’t just a father figure; he’s got not one but two brothers – dependable Ken, portrayed by Nick Offerman, and long-lost brother Ron, brought back into the picture by the tale’s conclusion, played by Kurt Russell.

As a gamer, I couldn’t help but notice that during a screening filled with young ones, there wasn’t a single chuckle in the air, even though the movie was loaded with jokes. The only exception came when one of the Smurfs called himself “kick-ass,” with the swear word beeped out, which had the kids rolling on the floor with laughter.

In the list of actors featured in this review’s credits (located at the bottom), you’ll find well-known talents like Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, and Daniel Levy, among others. However, most of these famous faces seem to have minimal impact on the production. Yet, it’s reassuring to know that high-profile actors, who are already well compensated, are earning large sums for their brief stints in recording studios, simply reading lines from a script.

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2025-07-16 19:24