Smurfs (2025) Review
Here’s my review for the latest Smurfs movie featuring the voices of Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman and more and directed by Chris Miller and distributed by Paramount Pictures!
#SmurfsMovie
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
Check out the official trailer below:
The Smurfs have returned to the big screen with a new story and a lot of lore and world building too. And because it’s a new version, we also get a new set of voice cast for the various Smurfs that appear in the flick led by Rihanna who voices Smurfette, James Corden as the No-Name Smurf, John Goodman as Papa Smurf and more.
So we’re familiar with the classic story and animated series The Smurfs which centers around the lovable blue creatures living in their solitary community while on the lookout for their nemesis, Gargamel and his pet cat Azrael. Well for this new take directed by Chris Miller, we are getting a lot more elements that could organically give us a sequel.
No Name (James Corden) and Smurfette (Rihanna) in Smurfs from Paramount Animation.
The cast is also filled with wonderful talents aside from Rihanna, we also have Natasha Lyonne, Jimmy Kimmel, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña and Kurt Russell (Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2, Monarch)
The film had a lot of themes that it focused on including themes of belonging and loneliness and acceptance. This hits anywhere between OK to something that kids can relate to especially with film protagonist “No Name” Smurf continuously looking for meaning in his life and place in their little blue society. One of the good stuff is also reinforcing what friendship does keeping No Name balanced with the help of Smurfette.
Magic isn’t new to the franchise and this movie, elevates magic in the next level. So how do you keep a decades old franchise fresh? That’s by introducing a new element and some truly nasty and vicious looking enemies that’ll definitely pop back out soon. In this film, its Gargamel’s older brother plus a trio of familiar looking malevolent beings from other lore. We also get to meet new characters and creatures in this Smurfs outing that may or may not return but otherwise, still adds some nice layers to this feel good film.
Finally I can’t stress enough how fun it is to have some veteran actors voicing veteran looking characters like John Goodman who plays Papa Smurf, Nick Offerman who plays Papa’s brother Ken and their other brother Ron played by Kurt Russell. Plus it’s also nice to see Smurfs that actually look like they fight back as opposed to the decades old look of them looking harmless.
Overall, I thought the Smurfs was a fun popcorn muncher. Decent enough to entertain the kids for an hour and a half and provide some nice reflective content that they can talk about. The soundtrack’s nice also with new tracks from Rihanna although nothing really worthwhile. Still, this one hits all the check points that could pass the modern audience’s taste, especially the discerning palettes of the 8 year olds and tweens.
Smurfs is now showing in theaters from Paramount Pictures!
