The Smurfs

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.