Smurfs (2025) Movie ft. Rihanna, James, and Nick

The beloved blue characters return to the big screen in Smurfs (2025), a computer-animated musical adventure that attempts to breathe new life into the classic franchise. Directed by Chris Miller and featuring an all-star voice cast including Rihanna as Smurfette, James Corden, Nick Offerman, and John Goodman as Papa Smurf, this latest installment marks a significant departure from the previous live-action films.

Set in the magical world of Smurf Village, the film follows the traditional animation route, abandoning the hybrid live-action approach of its predecessors. This return to pure animation represents a conscious effort to recapture the essence of Peyo’s original Belgian comic characters while introducing them to a new generation of viewers.

Plot and Storyline

The story kicks off when Papa Smurf is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizard brothers Gargamel and Razamel. This crisis forces Smurfette to step up as the leader, taking her fellow Smurfs on a dangerous mission into the real world to rescue their beloved patriarch.

The plot follows the classic rescue formula, with our blue heroes encountering new friends and facing various challenges that test their courage and unity. While the premise is straightforward, the film introduces some interesting elements, including new Smurf characters with regular names like Ken and Ron.

This creative choice breaks the traditional naming convention that has defined the franchise for almost 70 years. The narrative structure follows a predictable path, focusing on themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery.

Cast Performance

Rihanna’s performance as Smurfette represents the film’s most significant casting choice. Her vocal work brings a contemporary edge to the character while maintaining the innocence that defines Smurfette. I found her natural charisma translates well to voice acting, though some moments feel slightly detached from the character’s traditional personality.

James Corden delivers his trademark energetic performance, bringing humor and warmth to his role. His comedic timing works well within the film’s family-friendly framework, though his character sometimes feels overly familiar to his previous animated work.

Nick Offerman’s distinctive voice adds gravitas to the proceedings, while John Goodman brings his veteran experience to Papa Smurf, creating a believable father figure for the Smurf community. The supporting cast provides adequate voice work without any standout performances.

Technical Aspects

Chris Miller’s direction brings a polished look to the Smurf universe, with vibrant animation that captures the whimsical nature of the source material. The character designs remain faithful to Peyo’s original artwork while incorporating modern animation techniques that make the Smurfs feel relevant for contemporary audiences.

The film’s visual style balances nostalgia with innovation, creating colorful and engaging environments that will appeal to both children and adults. The animation quality is solid throughout, with particular attention paid to the expressive faces of the Smurf characters.

The real-world sequences blend seamlessly with the animated elements, creating a cohesive visual experience. The musical elements, while present, don’t overwhelm the narrative but serve their purpose in advancing the plot.

Critical Reception

Professional critics have delivered a harsh verdict on Smurfs (2025). The film currently holds a disappointing 20-25% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, with many reviewers describing it as mediocre and uninspired.

Critics have called it aggressively mediocre and unimaginative, labeling it as nap-time cinema for the youngest possible crowd. However, user reviews on IMDb show a more positive response, with some viewers praising the film for staying true to the original work.

The movie currently holds a 4.7 rating on IMDb, suggesting that audiences are more receptive to the film than professional critics. The divide between critical and audience reception reflects the ongoing challenge of creating content that satisfies both sophisticated film critics and the target family audience.

Social media reactions have been mixed, with some viewers sharing their excitement about the return to animation:

What I Liked

The film succeeds in delivering exactly what its target audience expects: colorful, safe family entertainment with positive messages about friendship and courage. The animation quality is consistently good, and the voice cast provides adequate performances that bring the characters to life.

Rihanna’s involvement brings contemporary star power to the project, potentially attracting viewers who might not otherwise be interested in a Smurfs movie. The return to full animation rather than live-action hybrid represents a wise creative choice that allows the characters to exist in their natural environment.

I appreciated how the film maintains the wholesome spirit of the original comics while updating the visual presentation for modern audiences.

What Could Be Better

However, the film struggles with originality and fails to justify its existence beyond commercial considerations. The plot feels recycled from previous entries, and the humor often falls flat for adult viewers.

The musical elements, while competently executed, lack the memorable quality that would elevate the film above its peers. The pacing sometimes drags during exposition-heavy sequences, and the film’s reluctance to take creative risks results in a safe but uninspiring viewing experience.

I found the introduction of new character naming conventions, while interesting, feels half-hearted and doesn’t lead to meaningful character development. The film plays it too safe, missing opportunities to bring fresh perspectives to the beloved characters.

Final Verdict

Smurfs (2025) represents a technically competent but creatively uninspired return to the world of the little blue characters. While it succeeds in providing harmless family entertainment and maintains visual appeal, it fails to offer anything new or compelling to justify its existence.

The film will likely satisfy very young viewers and nostalgic parents but won’t convert new fans or impress critics looking for innovative storytelling. The movie serves its purpose as a commercial product designed to capitalize on an established brand, but it lacks the creative spark that could have made it a memorable addition to the animated film landscape.

Despite its flaws, families seeking safe, colorful entertainment will find Smurfs (2025) adequate for their needs. I’d recommend it for parents with young children who want a harmless movie night option, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Rating: 2.5/5