By India McCarty
For the cast and crew of SMURFS, community, family and kindness are the most important parts of the movie’s story.
“We all need to be more smurfy!” the movie’s writer, Pam Brady, told Movieguide® at a screening of the movie at the Paramount lot. “If we look around the world right now, I think that idea that kindness wins is kind of an idea we all need to embrace.”
She added, “I hope the number one thing kids learn from this movie is that it’s not all up to one individual to save things. It’s about the communities. It’s about your family, your friends. It’s about being a team.”
According to the Movieguide® review:
SMURFS is an animated musical comedy. No Name is a Smurf who hasn’t found his “thing” yet. He and other Smurfs must go on a rescue mission when Papa Smurf’s kidnapped by the evil wizard Razamel, who’s set on ridding the world of all goodness. The mission takes them around the world, from Paris to Australia, as they meet other Smurfs along the way. No Name discovers along the way the power in believing in yourself and having loving, supportive friends. He also finds his destiny in his quest to save the world.
SMURFS has positive moral, redemptive messages. It extols kindness, believing in yourself, not being afraid to fail, sacrifice, forgiveness, and stepping up to fight against evil. The movie includes original music by Rihanna and blends 3D animation with Claymation, anime-inspired 2D animation, CG elements, and live action. However, SMURFS is hampered by lackluster execution, making for a frustrating product and less then memorable movie. SMURFS also contains occult elements like magic spells, portals and evil wizards, plus action and comic violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older pre-teen children.
The SMURFS stars echoed that message of community. John Goodman, who plays Papa Smurf, said his character “really realizes how important family and community are” throughout the movie and hopes kids take away the same message.
“Play a role in your community, play a role in your family,” he said. “It makes life a lot easier.”
Alex Winter, who plays Hefty Smurf, agreed, saying, “At the end of the day, it’s about community and friendship and family and overcoming challenges together. It’s such a great message, I think, right now.”
Related: This Pop Star Was a SMURFS ‘Superfan’ Before Joining Movie’s Cast
In an interview with CBS, Nick Offerman, who voices a Smurf named Ken, shared his cast mates focus on connecting with your community.
“The message is that everybody, you know, that we require diversity to make a strong community or family or village of Smurfs,” the PARKS & RECREATION star explained. “You don’t learn what your special talent is looking at your phone, or looking in the mirror. You learn from your community. They will tell you what they need from you, and that’s how you discover what your power is.”
Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, praised SMURFS’ cast and crew for the genuine passion they brought to the project.
“I think when you’re refreshing a beloved franchise like THE SMURFS, the secret ingredient is love,” she told Variety. “And that love must come from people who truly care about the characters and their story. Rihanna [Smurfette] brought that passion, and it shines through in every part of the film. And our director, Chris Miller, who’s the hilarious voice behind Grumpy Smurf, captured the spirit of Peyo’s original drawings in the design language of this film which reveres his vision with admiration — that’s a lot of Smurf love.”
With such a positive message of kindness and community running through it, SMURFS is sure to be a hit this summer!
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
- Content: +3Share:
- Content: +2