FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS -- CONTENT REVIEW: THE SMURFS

"THE SMURFS"
(2011) (Neil Patrick Harris, Hank Azaria) (PG)

QUICK TAKE:: Children's/Family: When an evil wizard and his cat attacks them, members of a magical race of tiny blue beings escape their enchanted land to modern-day Manhattan.

PLOT:

In an enchanted forest far away, a magical race of tiny, blue, troll-like creatures called The Smurfs live behind a protective force field that keeps them and their village safe from the evil wizard Gargamel (HANK AZARIA). However, Gargamel soon discovers their secret and seeks to destroy the Smurfs and harness their magic for his own evildoing.

A rare blue moon has opened a portal through which six of the Smurfs escape to modern-day Central Park in Manhattan. The six include the all-wise Papa Smurf (voice of JONATHAN WINTERS); Smurfette (voice of KATY PERRY), the only female Smurf; the always bumbling Clumsy (voice of ANTON YELCHIN), who yearns to be a hero; the perpetually pessimistic Grouchy (voice of GEORGE LOPEZ); the smart and intuitive Brainy (voice of FRED ARMISEN); and the courageous Gutsy (voice of ALAN CUMMING). Gargamel, though, follows them through the vortex and quickly sets up a lab from which he intends to continue using his dark magic.

The Smurfs, meanwhile, are taken in by a put-upon advertising executive named Patrick (NEIL PATRICK HARRIS) and his pregnant wife, Grace (JAYMA MAYS). Patrick's job is on the line when his strict boss, Odile (SOFIA VERGARA), orders him to come up with a new campaign for her company's line of cosmetics. Unsure of his abilities, he gets unlikely inspiration from his little blue visitors.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Absolutely. The film is based on a beloved cartoon and comic strip and is being heavily marketed on the various kids' TV channels.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG: For some mild rude humor and action.

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