The Smurfs are long-established characters in cinema, cherished by both children and adults. Their bright, cheerful world full of friendship and joy has always evoked warm emotions. But can new Smurfs films live up to their past charm? That’s the question posed by the latest animated release featuring Rihanna, The Guardian reported.
In this film, global pop icon Rihanna provides the voice of Smurfette. Unfortunately, her performance is underwhelming — her lines feel flat and uninspired, and there’s little emotional depth. What’s more surprising is the near total lack of music, an odd choice for a film in this genre.
The screenplay was written by Pam Brady, known for “South Park” and “Team America.” Despite her comedic background, this script is bland and simple. Only the brief appearances of the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel (both voiced by JP Karliak) offer genuine moments of humor.
The story takes place in the Smurfs’ village, where No Name Smurf (voiced by James Corden) believes he has no defining quality. Eventually, he discovers he has magical powers, which become crucial after the evil wizards kidnap Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) to steal a hidden magic book that could grant them control over the universe.
Although the runtime is just 90 minutes, the film feels dragged out. Some surreal scenes in alternate dimensions offer slight intrigue, and Sound Effect Smurf provides occasional fun through sound-based communication. Still, the film seems to assume that young children don’t need a compelling or engaging plot — a miscalculation for today’s savvy young audiences.
In conclusion, “Smurfs” 2025 is visually decent but narratively weak. Not even Rihanna’s star power can compensate for the film’s lack of heart or originality. The film is now showing in Australia and will be released in the UK and US on July 18. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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