The Smurfs

Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend. I grew up watching The Smurfs, the CG Smurf animation is actually pretty good, but there is something about how they're personalized that rubs me the wrong way. Either the delivery is just different enough from the cartoon, or there is something about the Smurfs being in a modern world that I entirely disapprove of, or both. This reminds me a lot of "Yogi Bear" where in a movie, the title character(s) should be the main focus and the most enjoyable characters. It might have actually worked against them to put Neil Patrick Harris…

Overall a cute and nice movie that mostly lives by the interaction of The Smurfs and their arch-rival Gargamel. A group of Smurfs are transported to New York, because, where else would a magical portal lead, right? :-D Along with Gargamel and his cat Azrael. From there, the movie basically consists of two storylines: The Smurfs' tries to get back home while fighting Gargamel and Azrael, and the personal challenges of Patrick and Grace Winslow, the other human protagonists, as they try to keep Patrick's job and plan for their upcoming baby. And this is also where the quality and rating, to me…