Smurfs Return in Animated Blockbuster: First Trailer Unveiled

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Once more, the beloved Smurfs are making their comeback, and they’re doing so with an animated flair! This time around, they boast an impressive voice cast featuring stars like Danny DeVito, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, along with industry veterans John Mulaney and John Goodman. The initial trailer for the film, which was initially scheduled to hit screens on Valentine’s Day but has since been delayed until July 18, has now unveiled a sneak peek at this upcoming Smurf adventure that’s set to captivate us soon.

The beloved little blue creatures known as Smurfs are set to make their cinematic return, facing off against some of the year’s most anticipated blockbusters, a challenge that even the robust Smurf, Hefty, might find daunting. Up against the likes of Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in a summer season eager to learn from the crowded release schedule of 2023 that saw several big-budget films underperform at the box office, can The Smurfs hold its own amidst this powerhouse lineup of superheroes and dinosaurs? The film’s prospects are looking promising as evidenced by the recently unveiled trailer. You can check it out below to see for yourself how the movie is shaping up.

‘Smurfs’ Is Looking to Repeat Previous Success

In a remarkable influence on popular culture, those tiny blue cartoon characters from Belgium, known as Smurfs, have undeniably left their footprint. From the enduring 1980s animated series that continues to be aired 40 years after its inception, to numerous games and spin-offs, the Smurfs managed to capture a new fanbase in 2011 with Sony’s release of two live-action/animated hybrid movies. These films achieved outstanding financial success, earning over $550 million at the box office, with the sequel following close behind, pulling in $350 million two years later. Yet, the acclaim from movie critics was not reciprocated by these cinematic adaptations.

The two movies received harsh criticism from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes rating them at 21% and 14%. Despite this, audiences gave them a more favorable response, approximately scoring them at 50%. However, many adults found the films too childish and overly catering to children’s tastes, which made it difficult for them to find any appeal in the silliness. It’s unusual, considering they are children’s movies.

The main issue lies in the fact that numerous movies centered around children’s characters have become favorites among parents who are unwittingly pulled along to watch. Case in point, recent films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog, and this summer, The Smurfs is banking on that trend with its star-studded cast, impressive animation quality, and direction by Chris Miller, who’s famous for his work on the Shrek and Madagascar series. We’ll see if he can weave his enchantment over The Smurfs when the movie hits theaters on July 18, 2024.

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2025-02-06 17:33