Movie Review: The Smurfs 3D

Grouchy, Brainy and Gutsy Smurf. Photo / Supplied

It's easy reliving the 80s at the moment, whether it's the remake of Footloose or the return of those smurfalicious little blue people. The Smurfs themselves are as delightful and loopy as ever, so - despite undergoing a digital makeover - this Smurf adventure is still designed to appeal to younger and less discerning members of the family.

Computer-animated cartoon characters meet real life action as Papa Smurf and five of his 99 kids travel from their enchanted forest to New York's Central Park. It's not a sightseeing trip; Smurfette, Grouchy, Clumsy, Gutsy, Brainy and Papa Smurf are being chased by evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) and his cat Azrael.

The Smurfs navigate their way around New York with help from humans Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and his pregnant wife Grace (Jayma Mays) who provide a weak contrived subplot about Patrick being worried whether he's ready to become a dad - but it provides an opportunity for Papa Smurf to offer good advice.

The voice work is superb and Katy Perry's is suitably cartoony enough to bring Smurfette to life. Azaria has fun as Gargamel and though most of his time is spent acting alongside a cat, theirs is the most convincing relationship in the film.

The Smurfs 3D gets a lot of things right, the Smurfs themselves look great and are undeniably cute, and there's plenty of silly Smurf-sized slapstick action to amuse the littlies. The 3D isn't overplayed and it gives proceedings a little extra bling when required.

The only real issue now is that, just as in the 80s, they lack a little heart and soul.

Stars: 3/5
Cast and voices: Hank Azaria, Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters
Director: Raja Gosnell
Running Time: 103 mins
Rating: G
Verdict: Kid-friendly entertainment

-TimeOut