Smurfs: The Lost Village
Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) is a fully animated adventure-comedy film that reboots the Smurfs franchise, diverging from the previous live-action hybrid movies. The story centers on Smurfette, who embarks on a journey with Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty into the Forbidden Forest to find a mysterious lost Smurf village before the evil wizard Gargamel can exploit it. The film explores themes of identity, friendship, and teamwork, offering colorful animation and positive messages about individuality and community spirit. It is targeted at a young audience, offering comedic slapstick and visually imaginative world, with an overall appropriateness generally suitable for young children. The film aims to provide an engaging watch for children while delivering universally appealing lessons without direct references to real-world religions or explicit mature content.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe film centrally addresses Smurfette's gender identity as the only female Smurf in her initial village and her quest for purpose. The discovery of an all-female Smurf village (Smurfy Grove) further brings gender themes to the forefront, though ultimately, the film concludes with male and female Smurfs uniting in a traditionally heteronormative pairing for Papa Smurf and Smurfwillow. There are no explicit LGBTQ relationships, but some critiques suggest the film's handling of gender could be seen as subtle or even regressive in parts. Vanity Smurf exhibits extreme narcissism, with a scene in the end credits showing his reflection kissing him, focusing on self-attraction.
Smurfette embarks on a quest to discover her identity, questioning why she is simply 'Smurfette' when all other male Smurfs are defined by a trait. This narrative explores purpose and identity within a gendered context. A critical review mentions the historical rumor that Smurfette was introduced to 'quash the idea that the Smurfs were gay,' and discusses the film's handling of gender. Vanity Smurf displays extreme narcissism, with an end-credits scene depicting his reflection leaning out of a mirror to kiss him on the lips.
Violence
MediumThe movie contains frequent animated slapstick violence and moments of peril typical of children's fantasy adventures. While no graphic gore or severe injuries are depicted, there are numerous chase sequences, magical attacks, and comical physical altercations.
Jokey Smurf's exploding presents repeatedly punch other Smurfs in the face with a boxing glove, a running gag throughout the film. Smurfette delivers a martial arts-style kick to another Smurf's groin, who then exclaims, 'High-heels hurt!' Gargamel employs 'freeze balls' to immobilize and capture Smurfs, and at one point, Smurfs are placed into a contraption that swirls them around to extract their magical essence.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film includes mild romantic undertones and some crude humor, primarily comedic and non-explicit. These involve flirtation between characters and light innuendo, generally suitable for the target audience.
Hefty Smurf expresses romantic interest in Smurfette, making mildly flirtatious comments toward her throughout their adventure. In one scene, when Papa Smurf and SmurfWillow are trapped together in a cage, Papa Smurf playfully suggests, 'Let's get this cage rocking!', to which SmurfWillow responds, 'Don't get weird,' indicating mild innuendo.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe film prominently features witchcraft and magic, primarily through the antagonist Gargamel and his magical endeavors to capture Smurfs and extract their essence. Papa Smurf also uses some magic. These elements are presented within a generic fantasy framework and are clearly associated with the villain.
Gargamel is an evil wizard who consistently uses spells and potions to pursue the Smurfs, such as employing 'freeze balls' to immobilize them and a contraption to extract their magical essence. Smurfette herself was originally created by Gargamel using 'dark magic' from a lump of clay, before Papa Smurf's magic transformed her.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains some scary scenes and characters, particularly involving the villain Gargamel and creatures in the Forbidden Forest. There are intense chase sequences and moments of peril, including a temporary death scene for a main character.
Younger children may find scenes with the villain Gargamel, his pet cat Azrael, and his vulture Monty to be frightening. A particularly intense moment involves the temporary death of Smurfette, where she reverts to a lifeless lump of blue clay after a sacrificial act, though she is later resurrected by the Smurfs' love.
Profanity
LowThe film contains very limited and mild coarse language, consistent with its PG rating. It primarily uses the unique Smurf vocabulary, where 'smurf' substitutes for various words, including implied expletives in context.
Common Sense Media notes the presence of 'salty language in smurf-venture,' referring to the unique Smurf vocabulary. A fan discussion mentions a line where a Smurf says 'SMURF SMURF SMURFITY SMURF,' and another character responds, 'There's no need for that kind of language laddy!', implying a use of 'smurf' as profanity within their world.
Substance Use
LowThe movie does not contain any explicit depictions or references to alcohol, drug, or tobacco use.
There is an absence of any scenes showing characters consuming alcohol, smoking, or using illegal drugs. No references to addiction or substance abuse are present in the dialogue or plot.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe film does not contain significant themes of disrespect or rebellion. Characters occasionally display mild frustration or bickering but generally uphold positive values of friendship and teamwork.
While there might be minor squabbles or disagreements among the Smurfs, such as Hefty and Brainy sometimes annoying each other, these are part of their character dynamics and do not escalate into overt disrespect or rebellion against authority figures like Papa Smurf. The core message of the film emphasizes teamwork and unity, rather than defiance.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe movie does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or criticism of Christian beliefs. Its fantastical elements, including magic and a wizard antagonist, are presented within a generic fantasy framework without conflicting with specific religious doctrines. The film promotes universal positive themes generally compatible with Christian values.
The film's focus is on a magical, secular fantasy world involving Smurfs, an evil wizard, and mythical creatures, without direct references to Christianity or other real-world religions. Christian review outlets describe the film as having a 'strong Christian, moral worldview' due to themes of finding purpose, sacrifice, and a moment where Smurfs hold hands and Papa Smurf says what seems like a 'little prayer' for Smurfette.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Recommended for children aged 6-7 and older, with parental guidance suggested for children under 7. The MPAA rating is PG primarily due to fantasy action/peril and some mild rude humor. Younger children (under 5) may find some scenes with the villain Gargamel or the temporary death of Smurfette too intense.
Additional Notes
The film is a fully CGI-animated reboot, distinguishing it from the previous live-action/animation hybrid Smurfs movies. The runtime is approximately 90 minutes. Critics noted that while the animation was competent, the plot was somewhat predictable. The film received an 'A' CinemaScore from audiences, indicating positive reception from its target demographic.
Related Reviews
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