The Smurfs (2011)

Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend.

I grew up watching The Smurfs, the CG Smurf animation is actually pretty good, but there is something about how they're personalized that rubs me the wrong way. Either the delivery is just different enough from the cartoon, or there is something about the Smurfs being in a modern world that I entirely disapprove of, or both.

This reminds me a lot of "Yogi Bear" where in a movie, the title character(s) should be the main focus and the most enjoyable characters. It might have actually worked against them to put Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays in this. I don't think they "upstaged" the little blue creatures, but they were, by far, the best parts of this movie, and their story was strong enough it could have been a movie to its own...in fact, I'm sure if I looked hard enough, I could find a "work is hard, I'm about to get fired, and we're about to have a baby" movie.

For something as unique as the Smurfs, the movie puts a lot of money into it not being anything special. They could have saved a lot of money by making it a "girl running from her angry boyfriend" movie. They also have NPH specifically degrading the Smurfs for their general positivity in the same manner as the villain: this makes the audience villainize the lead protagonist in this movie, as the Smurfs are relegated to little than hostages in the human movie.

Now, it's not to say that there isn't a certain level of charm to the Smurfs, but it's definitely not the Smurfs I remember, and having such a goofy villain is really all that saves the movie, and even then they go too far with some of the situations he is in.

Overall a cute and nice movie that mostly lives by the interaction of The Smurfs and their arch-rival Gargamel.

A group of Smurfs are transported to New York, because, where else would a magical portal lead, right? :-D
Along with Gargamel and his cat Azrael.

From there, the movie basically consists of two storylines: The Smurfs' tries to get back home while fighting Gargamel and Azrael, and the personal challenges of Patrick and Grace Winslow, the other human protagonists, as they try to keep Patrick's job and plan for their upcoming baby.

And this is also where the quality and rating, to me personally, is split:
The Smurfs all have a fitting and fun personality. Smurfette is really kind and cute, Gutsy is absolutely fun, Papa is a great...Papa and Clumsy learns that, despite his clumsiness, he's a great person.
It's silly, fun and Hank Azaria does a really great job as Gargamel. Seeing him trying to fit in with New York is even more silly and fun than the Smurfs doing the same.

And then, on the other side, are the Winslow's and their story about an exhausting, typical crushing capitalist job with a horrible boss.
It's...mostly boring, more stressful than fun.
And while the interaction and development between them and the Smurfs is nice, one thing is quite clear: These humans were not really needed. The main story would've totally worked completely without them, just with the Smurfs and Gargamel in New York with background actors.

The actors aren't bad, but their story...doesn't matter.

Still, I recommend the movie, because Clumsy is fun, Smurfette is friendly and cute, and Gargamel does a great job at being a fun and silly antagonist.

Katy Perry does a great job at voicing Smurfette.