5.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer's newest creation - creatures called the Naughties - into real Smurfs.
Starring: Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Katy PerryFamily | 100% |
Animation | 82% |
Fantasy | 70% |
Comedy | 68% |
Comic book | 24% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French (Canada): DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Time to Smurf some magic.
The Smurfs is a delightful little film that played nicely within its
kid-friendly confines and generated plenty of smiles with its silly but playfully mischievous plot. The film is replete with balanced humor and a visual
novelty, a simple but adorable little experience with nothing but family-friendly vibes and plenty of zest to go around. Its successor, the aptly titled
The Smurfs 2, offers much of the same but gone is a large chunk of the breezy charm, replaced here with a rather tedious pace despite a
halfway imaginative origins story. Raja Gosnell returns to the Director's chair. He brings much of the same visual pizazz and appeal to the project,
but this film gets too bogged down in run-around repetitive action and dry themes. It's only occasionally whimsical and oftentimes overwrought,
failing to find a happy medium balance to its pace and never reaching that summit of agreeableness upon which the first film was built.
While both films feel largely superficial, this sequel comes across as especially vapid. It offers some basic fun but cannot match the spunk and spirit
of its predecessor in any scene.
New friend or new foe?
The Smurfs 2's 3D Blu-ray transfer impresses throughout. The image showcases good, consistent depth of field in every scene, whether sprawling landscapes or more intimate locations. Spacing even in short distances is readily noticeable; for example, the space between Smooth's glasses frame and his face looks very real. There are a handful of extra-screen moments, such as when Smurf noses seem to extend beyond the boundaries or when magical sparks appear to drift in front of the 3D display. Just as critical, the 3D image retains the dazzling colors and positive details of its 2D-only counterpart. Bold Smurf blues, beautiful natural greens, and all those shades in the candy store still sparkle. Details, both digital and real, remain precise across the board, from cat fur to the tiniest lines in animated Smurf clothing. Image clarity is fantastic throughout. The only downside comes in a handful of shots that look a little flatter and pastier than they do in 2D; a good example is a dialogue scene between Patrick and Victor in chapter 12. Otherwise, the image shows precise black levels and balanced skin textures. As with the 2D release, there are no noticeable bouts of noise, banding, or blocky backgrounds. All around, this is a terrific 3D image from Sony.
The Smurfs 2 features a robust, well-defined, and fully pleasing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This is a rich, absorbing, full presentation that delivers musical notes with uncanny lifelike precision. There's perfect balance and body to every note, with wide natural spacing and just the right blend of surround information. Ambient support elements are very nicely defined throughout the film, whether city traffic, crowd applause, or natural flavors. Every moment feels fully immersive, but naturally so, whether the situation calls for heavier support pieces or nuanced elements that help better define a quieter moment. Action effects are equally impressive, particularly some deep, dynamic sound effects that power into the stage near film's end. Dialogue plays evenly and accurately from the center. As is the video, this track is of reference quality from beginning to end.
The Smurfs 2 contains a hodgepodge of small supplements. All supplements are found on the included 2D-only disc. No 3D-specific
supplemental content is included.
The Smurfs 2 may be a cute, cuddly movie, but it lacks the novelty, charm, and flow of it predecessor. The film exceeds its boundaries, attempting to put together a slightly deeper experience than is required. The result is a movie that's occasionally too slow, too absent the whimsy and sheer fun factor of the original. Hank Azaria is again the best reason to watch, and he's only improved on his comically deviant villain Gargamel. The Smufs show little personality, even in the confines of their specific essences, and even highlight character Smurfette can't escape the clutches of a very generic arc. It's a decent sequel but it's nowhere near as much fun as the original. Sony's Blu-ray 3D release of The Smurfs 2 features excellent 3D video video and fantastic lossless audio. A decent array of extras are included. Worth a rental.
2013
with Exclusive Bonus Disc
2013
with Smurfette Plush
2013
with Papa Smurf Plush
2013
+Bonus Disc
2013
2013
2013
3-Disc Holiday Gift Set
2011
2009
2014
2011
2018
2017
Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1989
2013
2013
2011
Exclusive with Sony HDTVs
2008
2017
2016
2015
2010
2007
Tinker Bell
2012
2013
2015
2015