The Smurfs

Toddlers may be delighted by director Raja Gosnell's cartoon–live action adaptation of the 1980s animated TV series, but others will probably be bored stiff. The plot centers on New Yorkers Patrick Winslow (Neil Patrick Harris) and his pregnant wife, Grace (Jayma Mays), whose home is invaded by a small band of Smurfs who dove through a wormhole to escape the evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) and his nasty cat Azrael (voiced by Frank Welker). Originally conceived in 1958 by a Belgian comic book artist named Peyo (Pierre Culliford's pseudonym), the Smurfs are archetypal characters, named for their personality traits—Gutsy (Alan Cumming), Grouchy (George Lopez), Clumsy (Anton Yelchin), Greedy (Kenan Thompson), Handy (Jeff Foxworthy), Vanity (John Oliver), Jokey (Paul Reubens), etc.—except for Papa (Jonathan Winters) and Smurfette (Katy Perry), the only girl among 100 boys. Their language utilizes the word “smurf” in myriad meanings decipherable within their context (occasionally including sexual innuendos that will sail right over tots' heads). Eventually, of course, the Winslows are called upon to help the Smurfs return to their enchanted village. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include two audio commentaries (the first with director Raja Gosnell; the second with producer Jordan Kerner, visual effects supervisor Richard R. Hoover, and writers J. David Stem, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, and David Ronn), “Going Gargamel” with costar Hank Azaria (10 min.), a “Comic Book to the Big Screen” featurette (8 min.), a “Happy Movie Montage” clip (2 min.), a brief “Blue-pers” reel, a “Find the Smurfs” game, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the bonus mini-movie “The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol” (23 min.), a “Smurf Speak” cast featurette (10 min.), progression reels (10 min.), deleted and extended scenes (8 min.), a “Fantastic Adventure Game,” bonus DVD and digital copies of the film, a “Smurf-O-Vision” viewing option, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing film.] (S. Granger)