Rihanna & all-star cast take you on a nostalgic trip but lacks magic – Firstpost

Star cast: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman

Director: Chris Miller

Smurfs has been one of the most nostalgic memories as those iconic little blue forest-dwellers filled our childhood with fun and happiness. And that’s why I was damn excited about this reboot, especially after the addition of a global sensation, who serves as a voice actor and producer.

Talking about the plot, Smurfs revolves around Rihanna’s Smurfette and James Corden’s No Name Smurf, who are trying to discover the latter’s trait or speciality, which could define him.

When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) gets kidnapped by Gargamel and his long-lost brother Razamel (both voiced by JP Karliak), Smurfette, No Name and their team, along with Papa Smurf’s brother Ken (Nick Offerman), enter the human world to save him and make sure the magic book is safe with them.

In this journey, No Name discovers that he has something which makes him an extraordinary Smurf. But how will they save Papa Smurf from the evil wizards?

Well, while the story is simple with social messages, the narrative somehow hampers it because of its slow pace, as even a crisp runtime of 90 minutes looks stretched. The musical pieces are good but it doesn’t blend completely well with some sequences.

Smurfs has been special for me, and while it successfully takes me back to nostalgic days but falters in creating that kind of magical impact, which was expected. Director Chris Miller (the Oscar-nominated behind Puss In Boots, Shrek The Third) has failed to live up to the expectations with this iconic cartoon’s reboot.

On the whole, Smurfs is a one-time watch if you go with no expectations or might want to take your child for an animated affair on the big screen.

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

Smurfs is playing in cinemas