Smurfs 2 Parent Guide
For parents desperately seeing entertainment this summer, "Smurfs 2" could fit the bill. However, I suspect many of you may feel blue after spending your dollars for this.
Parent Movie Review
Life in Smurf Kingdom is typically idyllic. But when a strange grey Smurf named Vexy (Christina Ricci) plucks their lone female member from the flock, Papa Smurf (Jonathan Winters) immediately assembles a posse to get her back. Opening a portal, Papa and his friends return to the New York City home of Patrick and Grace (Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays), who we met in the first Smurfs, where they explain the issue.
Of course the evildoer behind the abduction is Gargamel (Hank Azaria), the only predator in Smurf ecology. He’s a wizard who depends on “Smurf Essence” to power his magic wand and the only way to get Smurf Essence is from a true, blue Smurf. Discovering the wizard is headlining a magic show in Paris, the gang of humans and Smurfs head to the City of Lights believing where there is Gargamel there will also be Smurfette (Katy Perry).
The second movie in this aging franchise continues to poke fun at the saccharine sweetness of Smurf society with jabs at the “la, la, la” theme song and a few remarks that weren’t typical Saturday morning fare three decades ago. Jokes reference buttocks and a couple of remarks about injuring sensitive male parts. In another scene some Smurfs are in the water when some bubbles appear. A blue critter remarks that, “When a Smurf toots, someone smiles.” There’s a good chance most parents won’t appreciate this lesson being repeated in their homes.
In addition to the bathroom humor, there are many moments of peril in this movie that may leave young audience members unsettled. In a climatic scene, Gargamel puts Smurfette in a position of having to reveal the magic Smurf formula or watch two other Smurfs the wizard has created die from their lack of Smurf Essence. It’s a surprisingly emotional scene considering the surrounding context, and one parents should be prepared for. Other scenes display slapstick violence, including Smurfs hitting one another.
Perhaps the brightest moment in this film is one in which not a single blue creature is on the screen. In a somewhat unnecessary side story Patrick addresses some issues with his stepfather that he’s harbored for years. For children in stepparent relationships, this scene may provide an enlightening perspective.
For parents desperately seeking entertainment during Summer 2013, Smurfs 2 could fill the bill. However I suspect many of you may leave the theater feeling a tad, ahem, blue after spending your dollars for a visit to this kingdom.
Directed by Raja Gosnell. Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry, Hank Azaria. Running time: 105 minutes. Theatrical release July 31, 2013. Updated August 31, 2020About author
Smurfs 2
Rating & Content Info
Why is Smurfs 2 rated PG? Smurfs 2 is rated PG by the MPAA for some rude humor and action.
Violence: Characters in this movie are frequently in peril. A male wizard kidnaps a female Smurf and attempts to extract information through hypnosis. Speculation of other forms of interrogation are implied, but not carried out. Male Smurfs often punch or push one another. Scenes display slapstick violence. A Smurf is comically electrocuted in a fuse box. In a post-credit scene a wizard is attacked by his cat. A boy eats peanut oil and has an allergic reaction (not seen). A man is near a fireworks explosion and is shown flying through the air. A car falls on a man. A man’s head gets caught in an electric sunroof.
Sexual Content: Seeing a married couple flirting, Smurfs tell them to “Get a room.” After a naked male human falls into a laundry cart a male Smurf crawls out from under the bedding and makes a remark about seeing things that no one should ever see. A Smurf partially exposes his posterior and makes a remark. Smurfs make remarks about being hit in the “Smurfberries”, meaning sensitive male body parts.
Language: No usual profanities noted, however the Smurf characters use the word “smurf” in a contraction with other words that would form a typical profanity. For example “smurf off”.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted.
Page last updated August 31, 2020
Smurfs 2 Parents' Guide
This movie is based on The Smurfs, a cartoon and line of toys. Learn more about them here: http://www.schlumpf.com/en/
What gender roles do male and female characters have in this movie? What is Smurfette’s “talent” or contribution to her society?
Smurfette says, “It doesn’t matter where you came from, what matters is who you choose to be.” How do you feel about this statement? Is it always true? Why or why not?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Smurfs 2 movie is December 3, 2013. Here are some details…
Home Video Notes: Smurfs 2
Release Date: 3 December 2013
Smurfs 2 releases to home video in either a 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack or a Blu-ray Combo Pack. Both packages include the following extras:
- Deleted Scenes
- Daddy’s Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette – Learn all about Smurfette’s “golden” past as we trace her origins back to Peyo’s stories, and how that in turn inspired the filmmakers as they were putting together this newest Smurf’s tale. Then, hear from Katy Perry on how she tapped into her inner Smurf to pull off the role in the voiceover booth.
- Animating Azrael – Discover how the filmmakers animated our favorite feline sidekick.
- The Puurrfect Companion: Azreal’s Tail – See how Azrael was created, from the live-action cat to the digital double, and how actor Frank Welker brought the character to life.
- Evolution of the Naughties – Learn how the filmmakers designed the newest additions to The Smurfs, Hackus and Vexy.
- The Naughties! The Tale of Hackus and Vexy – Meet the new characters, Hackus and Vexy, and hear from actors Christina Ricci and J.B. Smoove on what it was like to voice the Naughties.
- Smurfs Mini-Movie “The Legend of Smurfy Hollow”: When Brainy Smurf is favored to win the annual Smurfberry Hunt for the ninth year in a row, Gutsy Smurf sets out to discover how Brainy wins every year. Gutsy’s investigation takes him into spooky Smurfy Hollow – and right into Gargamel’s trap! Can Brainy and Gutsy, with the help of Smurfette, put aside their rivalry before Gargamel captures them, or worse, will they come face-to-face with the legendary ghost, the Headless Horseman?
- Digital HD UltraViolet (Bly-ray combo pack only)
Smurfs 2 is also releasing in a DVD package that features: Bonus Features Include:
- Deleted Scenes
- Daddy’s Little Girl: The Journey of Smurfette (see description above)
- Animating Azrael (see description above)
- Digital HD UltraViolet copy
Related home video titles:
This movie is the sequel to The Smurfs. This film features a mix of live-action and animation, just like Enchanted. Little people also populate The Borrowers, The Gnome-Moblie and The Secret World of Arrietty.
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