🧾 The Smurfs 2 (2013)
The Smurfs 2 is a 2013 American fantasy comedy film produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation. It serves as the sequel to the 2011 film The Smurfs and is the second installment in Sony’s live-action/CGI Smurfs film series. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the film features a blend of live-action and computer-generated imagery, bringing the beloved blue characters to life once again.
📅 Release Date
The film was released theatrically in the United States on July 31, 2013. It opened in 3,200 theaters across North America. The film was later made available for home viewing on various platforms, including DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download.
🎭 Cast and Characters
The main cast members from the first film returned for the sequel:Wikipedia
- Neil Patrick Harris as Patrick Winslow
- Jayma Mays as Grace Winslow
- Katy Perry as Smurfette
- Hank Azaria as Gargamel
New additions to the cast included:
- Brendan Gleeson as Victor Doyle, Patrick’s stepfather
- Christina Ricci as Vexy, a Naughty
- J.B. Smoove as Hackus, a NaughtyWikipedia
The film also featured the voice talents of Anton Yelchin, John Oliver, and Fred Armisen reprising their roles as Clumsy Smurf, Vanity Smurf, and Brainy Smurf, respectively.
🎬 Plot Summary
The Smurfs 2 follows the story of Smurfette, who is kidnapped by the evil wizard Gargamel. Gargamel creates two mischievous Smurf-like creatures, Vexy and Hackus, known as the Naughties, to help him harness the magical Smurf essence. However, only a real Smurf can provide Gargamel with the essence he needs. To achieve this, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette to force her to reveal the secret formula that can transform the Naughties into real Smurfs.
Papa Smurf, Clumsy Smurf, and Vanity Smurf team up with Patrick and Grace Winslow to rescue Smurfette from Gargamel’s clutches. The group embarks on an adventure to Paris, where Gargamel has taken Smurfette, leading to a series of comedic and action-packed events.
💰 Box Office Performance
The Smurfs 2 had a production budget of approximately $105 million. The film grossed $71 million in North America and $276.5 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $347.5 million. While this was a substantial sum, it was considered a disappointment compared to the first film’s performance, which grossed over $563 million worldwide. The sequel’s underperformance was attributed to factors such as competition from other family films and a less favorable critical reception.Wikipedia
📀 Home Media and Streaming
Following its theatrical run, The Smurfs 2 was released on home media formats, including DVD and Blu-ray, on December 3, 2013. The film was also made available for digital download and streaming on various platforms. In the United States, it was available for streaming on services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The film’s availability on these platforms allowed audiences to enjoy the movie at home after its theatrical release.
🏆 Reception and Criticism
The Smurfs 2 received generally unfavorable reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 14% approval rating based on 92 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1/10. The consensus reads, “Like its predecessor, Smurfs 2 may amuse small children, but it’s largely an unambitious, charm-free collection of slapstick gags and one-liners.” Wikipedia+1Rotten Tomatoes+1
Despite the critical reception, the film performed moderately well at the box office, particularly in international markets. The film’s blend of live-action and CGI, along with its family-friendly humor, contributed to its appeal among younger audiences.
🎵 Music and Soundtrack
The soundtrack for The Smurfs 2 features a mix of original songs and popular tracks. One of the standout songs is “Ooh La La” by Britney Spears, which was written specifically for the film and plays during the end credits. Other artists featured on the soundtrack include Becky G, Owl City, Nelly Furtado, Austin Mahone, and G.R.L. The film’s score was composed by Heitor Pereira, who also worked on the first film.Wikipedia
🔮 Future of the Franchise
Following the release of The Smurfs 2, plans for a third installment were initially announced. However, in March 2014, Sony Pictures Animation announced that the planned sequel had been canceled in favor of a fully animated reboot titled Smurfs: The Lost Village. The reboot was released on April 7, 2017, and featured an entirely new voice cast, with the exception of Frank Welker as Azrael the cat. Smurfs: The Lost Village received mixed reviews but was seen by both critics and audiences as an improvement over the live-action films.Wikipedia
🎯 Conclusion
The Smurfs 2 is a family-friendly film that continues the adventures of the beloved blue creatures. While it did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, it remains a part of the Smurfs film series and contributed to the franchise’s ongoing popularity. The film’s blend of live-action and CGI, along with its humorous storyline, provides an entertaining experience for younger audiences.
