Smurfs: The Lost Village Explained

Smurfs: The Lost Village
Director:Kelly Asbury
Narrator:Mandy Patinkin
Music:Christopher Lennertz[1]
Editing:Bret Marnell
Production Companies:
Distributor:Sony Pictures Releasing
Runtime:90 minutes[2]
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$60 million
Gross:$197.2 million[3]

Smurfs: The Lost Village is a 2017 American animated fantasy adventure comedy film based on The Smurfs comic series by Peyo, produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, The Kerner Entertainment Company, and Wanda Pictures, in association with LStar Capital, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. A reboot to Sony's previous live-action/animated hybrid films and the third and final installment in Sony's Smurfs film series, the film was directed by Kelly Asbury from a screenplay written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, and stars the voices of Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson, Joe Manganiello, Mandy Patinkin, Jack McBrayer, Danny Pudi, Michelle Rodriguez, Ellie Kemper, Jake Johnson, Ariel Winter, Meghan Trainor, and Julia Roberts. In the film, a mysterious map prompts Smurfette, Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty to find a lost village before Gargamel does. The film introduced the female Smurfs, who appeared in the franchise the following year.

Smurfs: The Lost Village premiered on April 2, 2017 and was released in the United States on April 7, 2017. The film received mixed reviews from critics, although some considered it an improvement over the previous two films,[4] and was not as successful as its two predecessors, grossing over $197 million worldwide against a $60 million budget, but still a commercial success. It is dedicated to Jonathan Winters, the voice actor of both Grandpa Smurf from the 1980s animated series and Papa Smurf from the original movie series who died in 2013, Anton Yelchin, the voice actor of Clumsy Smurf in the live-action movies, and Nine Culliford,[5] the wife of Peyo, who both died in 2016.

This is the last Smurfs movie to be distributed by Sony Pictures and the only one to be fully animated, as Paramount Pictures would later acquire the film rights to the franchise in 2021 to produce an upcoming Smurfs musical film, set for release on February 14, 2025.[6]

Plot

The Smurfs live peacefully in Smurf Village. Smurfette was created by the evil wizard Gargamel but was redeemed by Papa Smurf and became part of the village. She feels that she does not fit in as she tries to find her purpose in life, which the other Smurfs have. Gargamel makes it his mission to capture the Smurfs, steal all of their essence, and become the most powerful wizard.

During a smurfboarding trip, Smurfette discovers a possible Smurf creature, is captured by Gargamel, and is taken to his castle. There, she accidentally reveals a hat the creature dropped, enabling Gargamel to create a brew that causes him to locate the village on a map. Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy help Smurfette escape, and they return to Smurf Village. Papa Smurf confines them to their houses as punishment for almost disobeying his orders, dismissing their claims of the existence of another Smurf village. That night, Smurfette sneaks out to look for the lost village, with Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty volunteering to join her. Gargamel discovers them trying to find the village, and heads out with his pet cat Azrael and his pet vulture Monty to stop them.

The four follow the map and have various adventures and encounter bizarre creatures, including a colony of fire-breathing dragonflies, which Gargamel provokes into attacking the Smurfs. They escape a cavern maze with the help a stampede of glowing green rabbits. Eventually, the four Smurfs reach a river, where they sail on a handmade raft. Following a brief chase, Gargamel is thrown out of his own raft, and the Smurfs save him. Instead of thanking them, he pushes them out of their own raft, and they plunge down a waterfall.

The four are captured by leaf-covered creatures, who reveal themselves to be female Smurfs. They are taken to Smurfy Grove, and meet Smurf Blossom, Smurf Storm, Smurf Lily, Smurf Melody, and their leader, Smurf Willow, who all welcome the Smurfs to their home. Smurf Storm and Clumsy head away from the village to locate Gargamel and alert the others. During the trip, Clumsy accidentally reveals that Smurfette was created by Gargamel, which causes Smurf Storm to distrust Smurfette. Gargamel, who was led into the Swamp of No Return, a piranha-infested swamp, and Azrael spots Clumsy and Smurf Storm. Monty attacks them, but they fly away to return to the village.

Following a village tour, Smurfette grows accustomed to life in Smurfy Grove, to the dismay of Hefty and Brainy. Smurf Storm and Clumsy return, revealing that Smurfette was created by Gargamel. The female Smurfs prepare an attack that night. Papa Smurf, having discovered the quartet's absence, arrives to bring them home, and the female Smurfs accept him into their home. Gargamel, Azrael, and Monty suddenly invade and destroy Smurfy Grove, capturing every Smurf. Smurfette is spared because she is not a real Smurf, and thus, is of use to Gargamel no longer, and they leave. Feeling heartbroken, Smurfette is shown a picture of herself with her friends, and after realizing what not being a real Smurf truly means, she heads back to Gargamel's lair to save her fellow Smurfs.

At Gargamel's lair, Papa Smurf and Smurf Willow accept Brainy's escape plan. Hefty, Brainy, Clumsy, Smurf Blossom, Smurf Storm, Smurf Lily, Smurf Melody, Smurf Jade, and Smurf Petal succeed at the plan until Gargamel and Azrael spot them and put Clumsy, Smurf Blossom, Smurf Storm, Smurf Lily, Smurf Melody, Smurf Jade, and Smurf Petal into his Smurfilator, a machine capable of extracting their essence. Smurfette arrives and deceives Gargamel into believing she wants to be an evil Smurf again. Gargamel tries to turn Smurfette evil again, but realizes that she is absorbing his magical powers instead. The lair explodes, sending him, Azrael, and Monty flying back into the Swamp of No Return. The Smurfs are freed, but Smurfette has been reverted to a lifeless lump of clay.

Back at Smurf Village, the Smurfs make a memorial for Smurfette and silently mourn her loss. Papa Smurf refers to her as the truest Smurf of them all. Their energy and love for Smurfette brings her back to life, and everybody celebrates. Smurfette finds her purpose: to be anything she wants to be.

In a mid-credits scene, Gargamel, Azrael, and Monty walk back to their lair, and Gargamel wrongfully blames Azrael for ruining his plans and reveals Azrael's adoption.

Voice cast

Production

On May 10, 2012, two weeks after they announced production of The Smurfs 2, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation were already developing a script for The Smurfs 3, with writers Karey Kirkpatrick and Chris Poche.[10] Hank Azaria, who played Gargamel in the first two films, revealed that the third film "might actually deal with the genuine origin of how all these characters ran into each other way back when."[11] Plans for a second sequel were later scrapped, with a completely computer-animated reboot to be produced instead.

Kelly Asbury was confirmed as director in March 2014. It was revealed that the film would explore the origins of the Smurfs, and feature a new take on the characters, with designs and environments more closely following the artwork created by Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs franchise.[12]

Jordan Kerner served as producer, with Mary Ellen Bauder co-producing. On June 14, 2015, Sony Pictures Animation confirmed the original title of Get Smurfy, along with a first look at the film.[13] On February 12, 2016, it was confirmed that the film had been retitled to Smurfs: The Lost Village.[14] LStar Capital and Wanda Pictures co-financed the film.[15] [16]

Asbury cited classic films like Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and The Goonies (1985) as his main inspirations. The Forbidden Forest is inspired by the Land of Oz, Pandora and Wonderland, filled with dangerous and magical creatures.[17]

On January 16, 2015, Mandy Patinkin was added to the cast of the animated adventure film to voice Papa Smurf, who was previously voiced by Jonathan Winters in the live-action/CGI films.[18] On June 14, 2015, Demi Lovato was revealed as the voice of Smurfette, and Rainn Wilson as Gargamel.[19] Since the release of The Smurfs 2 in 2013, two of the Smurfs voice actors from the previous franchise had died, Jonathan Winters[20] who voiced Papa Smurf, and Anton Yelchin, who voiced Clumsy Smurf. The film was dedicated to Winters' and Yelchin's memory.[21] Frank Welker, who voices Gargamel's pet cat Azrael, is the only voice actor to reprise his role from the live-action films.

Music

In October 2016, it was confirmed that Christopher Lennertz would be composing the score for the film.[1] In December 2016, it was reported that singer Meghan Trainor had recorded a song for the film titled "I'm a Lady", which was released as a single.[22] Shaley Scott is featured in two songs, "You Will Always Find Me in Your Heart" and "The Truest Smurf of All".

Release

Theatrical

The film was initially set for release on August 14, 2015,[23] but on May 1, 2014, the release date was pushed back to August 5, 2016.[24] In March 2015, the release date was pushed back again to March 31, 2017.[25] In March 2016, the release date was pushed back one final time to April 7, 2017.[26]

Home media

Smurfs: The Lost Village was released on Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD on July 11, 2017 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.[27] The film debuted in second place on the Top 20 NPD VideoScan First Alert chart, behind The Fate of the Furious.[28]

In April 2021, Sony signed a deal giving Disney access to their legacy content to stream on Disney+ and Hulu and appear on Disney's linear television networks. Disney's access to Sony's titles would come following their availability on Netflix.[29]

Reception

Box office

Smurfs: The Lost Village grossed $45 million in North America and $152.2 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $197.2 million, against a production budget of $60 million.

In United States and Canada, Smurfs: The Lost Village opened alongside Going in Style and The Case for Christ and was projected to gross around $16–20 million in its opening weekend from 3,602 theaters.[30] [31] It ended up opening to $13.2 million, marking the lowest debut of the Smurfs franchise by a wide margin and finishing 3rd at the box office.[32] Smurfs: The Lost Village completed its theatrical run in the United States and Canada on August 3, 2017.[33]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 40% based on 97 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Smurfs: The Lost Village may satisfy very young viewers and hardcore Smurfaholics, but its predictable story and bland animation continue the franchise's recent mediocre streak."[34] On Metacritic, the film has a score 40 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[35] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, an improvement over the "A−" score earned by both previous Smurfs films.[36] In 2018, the film was awarded The ReFrame Stamp in the 2017 Narrative & Animated Feature Recipients category.[37]

Alonzo Duralde of TheWrap wrote, "It's significant that two female writers have taken a character who's mainly just existed to be cute and seductive and turned her into a full-fledged member of this universe."[38] Owen Glieberman of Variety said, "It's a pure digital fantasy, with elegant and tactile animation, so it's more true to the Smurf spirit, and should perform solidly."[39]

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Smurfs: The Lost Village is a mediocre effort that nonetheless succeeds in its main goal of keeping its blue characters alive for future merchandising purposes."[40]

Television series

See main article: The Smurfs (2021 TV series).

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Christopher Lennertz to score Smurfs: The Lost Village . filmmusicreporter.com . October 11, 2016 . January 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210129033135/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2016/10/11/christopher-lennertz-to-score-sony-pictures-animations-smurfs-the-lost-village/ . live .
  2. Web site: Smurfs: The Lost Village [2D] (U) ]. . February 23, 2017 . March 11, 2017.
  3. Web site: Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) . . July 28, 2017 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728012931/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2398241/?ref_=bo_se_r_4 . live .
  4. Web site: Critics Mixed On 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' - SFGate. www.sfgate.com. March 22, 2018. August 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815045949/https://www.sfgate.com/news/media/Critics-Mixed-On-Smurfs-The-Lost-Village-818322.php. live.
  5. Web site: Murphy . Jackson . Interview: Director Kelly Asbury on "Smurfs: The Lost Village" . Animation Scoop . April 13, 2021 . March 29, 2017 . April 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210413211704/http://www.animationscoop.com/interview-director-kelly-asbury-on-smurfs-the-lost-village/ . live .
  6. Web site: Paramount Sets 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Release, Pushes Date For Smurfs Animated Musical . Deadline . Matt . Grobar . August 8, 2022 . June 15, 2023 . August 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220809003403/https://deadline.com/2022/08/paramount-updates-release-plans-for-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-smurfs-musical-1235087859/ . live .
  7. Web site: New 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' Cast Revealed . . February 12, 2016 . April 16, 2016 . Milligan . Mercedes . October 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161017182206/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/new-smurfs-the-lost-village-cast-revealed/ . live .
  8. Meghan Trainor Brings Back Girl Power for 'Smurfs' Song 'I'm a Lady': Listen. Brandle. Lars. Billboard. February 24, 2017. February 24, 2017.
  9. Web site: Busch. Anita. Gabriel Iglesias Joins 'Ferdinand' & 'Smurfs' Voice Casts As He Readies Comedy Tour. Deadline Hollywood. January 22, 2017. November 17, 2016. February 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170217024518/http://deadline.com/2016/11/gabriel-fluffy-iglesias-ferdinand-smurfs-voice-cast-1201856248/. live.
  10. News: Sony already smurfing Smurfs 3. January 17, 2015. Variety.com. April 26, 2012. November 27, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121127234324/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053808. live.
  11. Web site: Exclusive: The Smurfs 3 Will Include an Origin Story . ComingSoon.net . July 14, 2013 . January 17, 2015 . Nemiroff . Perri . October 12, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012012129/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106456 . live .
  12. Sony Pictures Animation Unveils Updated Production Slate . PR Newswire . March 12, 2014 . January 17, 2015 . Sony Pictures Animation.
  13. News: 'Get Smurfy': First Look at Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson-Voiced Film. September 5, 2015. hollywoodreporter.com. June 14, 2015. August 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150824003324/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/get-smurfy-first-look-at-802378. live.
  14. Web site: Sneak peek: Joe Manganiello, Jack McBrayer are new blue crew in 'Smurfs' . USA Today . February 12, 2016 . February 14, 2016 . Alexander . Bryan . January 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180101050407/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/02/11/smurfs-lost-village-sneak-peek-joe-manganiello-jack-mcbrayer/80182954/ . live .
  15. Web site: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Sony, Wanda Confirm Picture Alliance: 'Jumanji', 'Passengers', 'Smurfs' Eyed. Deadline Hollywood. May 27, 2017. September 22, 2016. ..., Wanda will provide between 10% to 15% in co-financing.. November 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107024632/http://deadline.com/2016/09/sony-wanda-alliance-jumanji-passengers-smurfs-1201825089/. live.
  16. Web site: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Sony Closes Slate Co-Fi Deal With Lone Star Capital, CitiBank. Deadline Hollywood. May 27, 2017. April 8, 2014. March 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210318050711/https://deadline.com/2014/04/sony-closes-slate-co-fi-deal-with-lone-star-citibank-711875/. live.
  17. Web site: Trumbore. Dave. First Smurfs: The Lost Village Trailer Reveals All-CG Reboot. Collider. May 31, 2023. September 21, 2016. May 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230531055131/https://collider.com/smurfs-the-lost-village-trailer-demi-lovato/. live.
  18. News: Borys . Kit . 'Homeland' Star to Voice Papa Smurf in Animated Movie . The Hollywood Reporter . January 16, 2015 . January 17, 2015 . Siegel . Tatiana . January 20, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150120043642/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/homeland-star-voice-papa-smurf-764395 . live .
  19. Web site: Lowe. Kinsey. 'Get Smurfy' Unveiled: Demi Lovato Joins As Smurfette, Rainn Wilson As Gargamel. Deadline Hollywood. September 5, 2015. June 14, 2015. June 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150615084637/http://deadline.com/2015/06/get-smurfy-demi-lovato-as-smurfette-rainn-willson-as-gargamel-mandy-patinkin-as-papa-smurf-1201442625/. live.
  20. News: Jonathan Winters Dies at 87 . The Hollywood Reporter . Duane . Byrge . April 12, 2013 . April 17, 2020 . December 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191228192328/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jonathan-winters-dies-at-87-438626 . live .
  21. Web site: Anton Yelchin obituary . The Guardian . 19 November 2016 . 20 June 2016 . 13 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210213125124/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/jun/20/anton-yelchin-obituary-film-actor . live .
  22. Web site: Meghan Trainor Writes "I'm a Lady" for 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'. December 5, 2016. December 9, 2016. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031132705/https://www.showbizjunkies.com/music/meghan-trainor-song-smurfs-the-lost-village/. live.
  23. Web site: Chitwood. Adam. FAULT IN OUR STARS Set for June 6, 2014; THE MAZE RUNNER Pushed to September 19, 2014; SMURFS 3 and THE BOOK THIEF Moved. Collider.com. January 17, 2015. October 5, 2013. August 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150829090510/http://collider.com/fault-in-our-stars-movie-release-date-june-6-2014/. live.
  24. Web site: A Sony Switcheroo: 'Smurfs' Reboot Pushed To 2016, 'Goosebumps' Moved Up To Summer 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . May 1, 2014 . January 17, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140503014729/http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/goosebumps-release-date-smurfs-reboot-august-2016/ . May 3, 2014.
  25. Web site: Sony Sets Release Date for Next 'Smurfs' Movie . . March 25, 2015 . March 30, 2015 . Gregg Kidlay . March 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150327155739/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-sets-release-date-next-784501 . live .
  26. Web site: Sony Pictures Teases The Dark Tower, MIB 23, Passengers and More at CinemaCon . Comingsoon.net . April 13, 2016 . May 3, 2016 . Silas Lesnick . April 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160430182142/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/676055-sony-pictures-cinemacon#/slide/1 . live .
  27. Web site: Sony's 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' Finds its Way to Blu-ray July 11. Animation World Network. June 4, 2017. June 1, 2017. August 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200805192304/https://www.awn.com/news/sonys-smurfs-lost-village-finds-its-way-blu-ray-july-11. live.
  28. 'Fate of the Furious' Speeds to No. 1 on Disc Charts. Thomas K. Arnold. Variety. July 20, 2017. July 19, 2017.
  29. Web site: Couch . Aaron . 2021-04-21 . Sony Films Will Move to Disney After Netflix Window Expires . 2022-10-29 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US . April 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210421230835/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-nabs-post-pay-1-rights-for-sonys-feature-films . live .
  30. Web site: 'Boss Baby' to sack 'Smurfs,' and other box office predictions . . April 5, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405140248/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-smurfs-20170403-story.html . live .
  31. Web site: Box Office: 'Smurfs: The Lost Village,' 'Going in Style' Won't Top 'Boss Baby' . Variety . April 4, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . April 5, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405003213/http://variety.com/2017/film/box-office/box-office-smurfs-the-lost-village-going-in-style-boss-baby-1202022784/ . live .
  32. Web site: 'Boss Baby' Crawls Ahead Of 'Beauty' With $26M+; 'Smurfs' Lost In 3rd With $14M. Deadline Hollywood. 9 April 2017. 17 April 2020. 12 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210212004756/https://deadline.com/2017/04/smurfs-the-lost-village-going-in-style-boss-baby-beauty-and-the-beast-box-office-1202064314/. live.
  33. Web site: Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) - Domestic Release . November 23, 2023 . Box Office Mojo.
  34. Web site: Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. March 19, 2018. January 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210125054717/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/smurfs_the_lost_village. live.
  35. Web site: Smurfs: The Lost Village Reviews . . . April 9, 2017 . January 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210122085527/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/smurfs-the-lost-village . live .
  36. Web site: CinemaScore . cinemascore.com . 2017-04-08 . 2015-02-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150217211441/https://m.cinemascore.com/ . live .
  37. Web site: ReFrame Spotlights Gender-Balanced Films and TV with New Stamp. June 8, 2018. womenandhollywood.com. en-US. 2020-03-14. 2019-02-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20190225114627/https://womenandhollywood.com/reframe-spotlights-gender-balanced-films-and-tv-with-new-stamp/. live.
  38. Web site: 'Smurfs: The Lost Village' Review: Smurfette Finds Herself in a Much-Improved, All-Animated Adventure. 6 April 2017. TheWrap. 28 March 2017. 26 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170326224957/http://www.thewrap.com/smurfs-the-lost-village-review-demi-lovato-2017/. live.
  39. News: Gleiberman. Owen. Film Review: 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'. May 27, 2017. Variety. Penske Business Media. March 26, 2017. May 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170527185316/http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/smurfs-the-lost-village-review-1202016213/. live.
  40. Web site: 'Smurfs: The Lost Village': Film Review. Scheck. Frank. The Hollywood Reporter. 26 March 2017. March 22, 2018. 28 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171128124255/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/smurfs-lost-village-review-988818. live.

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