The Sony Pictures Home Entertainment July 11, 2017 Blu-ray release of the fully-animated 2017 theatrical film "Smurfs: The Lost Village" provides a chance to see the latest addition to the current "Smurfs" franchise that includes the (Unreal TV reviewed) "Smurfs 2" and the (also covered) "Legend of Smurfy Hollow." "Village" greatly expands on the lore of these films and the Smurfs in general by initially revolving around sole girl in an otherwise all-male society Smurfette (Disney Channel star Demi Lovato).
The deep rich animation of the well-known Smurf home turf alone is enough reason to buy "Village" in Blu-ray; Sony going full "Avatar" and beyond when venturing into the wilds of the Smurfverse make folks who do not select Blu-ray total Smurfs. The "Avatar" vibe extends to our blue buddies taking flight courtesy of tamed winged creatures.
Although this one definitely is for the girls to the extent that it evokes very strong thoughts of a brownie meeting or the cool girls table in a middle school cafeteria, it has enough Smurfy humor and general entertainment to appeal to all.
As the following YouTube clip of a theatrical trailer for "Village" shows, the film does include another tween boy humor to entertain the little dudes out there.
"Village" starts with basic Smurf lore regarding the members of the Blue Man Group having names that reflect their personality and/or vocation. This soon turns to the existential crisis of Smurfette, whose name and role in the community reflect that she is not much more than the sole pretty face in the burg.
Intelligent and condescending Brainy Smurf (Danny Pudi of "Community"), uncoordinated Clumsy Smurf (Jack McBrayer of "30 Rock"), and macho macho Hefty Smurf (Joe Manganiello) are the primary Smurfs this time around.
The main action begins with Smurfette literally going off the reservation; this exploration equally literally provides an intriguing glimpse of what lies beyond her rather limited world. Essentially literal daddy of all Smurfs Papa Smurf (Mandy Patinkin) hands Smurfette and the aforementioned boys their Smurfs on a platter on their return from the forbidden zone. He also literally sends them to their rooms without their suppers.
An undeterred Smurfette earns the name Rebel Smurf in soon sneaking back out to learn more about her cousins literally beyond the wall; the boys soon follow.
Our band of explorers soon finding themselves the guests of evil wizard/Smurf nemesis Gargamel (Rainn Wilson of "The Office") and his sidekick cat Azrael (voice-over god Frank Welker) puts this big bad on the hunt for the titular hidden valley.
Adventures along the way include white-water rafting and an encounter with Smurf-eating plants. We also get the requisite scene in which the Smurfs show their nobility in rescuing Gargamel from a probable demise.
A fun ongoing theme in this portion of the film revolves around the brain v. brawn conflict that Brainy and Hefty represent. A hilarious example of this is Hefty showing Brainy the best use for a scout manual regarding starting a campfire.
Smurfette and the boys eventually find the Edenlike "Lost Village" that is reminiscent of Paradise Island of "Wonder Woman" lore. It is an entirely male-free matriarchy that celebrates beautifully drawn nature and other good things and is free of serious conflict.
The Nazi/snake that our core group inadvertently introduces to this previous Utopia is Gargamel; this intrusion leads to a mission that shows the value of peace, love, and understanding.
Needless to say, all live Smurfily ever after to Smurf another day.
The plethora of extras center around crafts projects. They will teach you how to "Smurfify Your Nails" and draw your favorite Smurf. You further can enjoy a dance Along and enjoy a "I'm A Lady" music video by Meghan Trainor. These are only the French tip of the iceberg.
Anyone who wants to Smurf more about "Village" can either Smurf me or Smurf on Twitter Smurf via @tvdvdguy.
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