The Smurfs 2

The Smurfs 2 is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated live-action/animated comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and produced by Jordan Kerner. The film is based on the Belgian comic series created by Peyo and stars Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry, and Hank Azaria. The movie is a sequel to the 2011 film The Smurfs and features the voice talents of Jonathan Winters, Alan Cumming, and Christina Ricci. The film was released by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation.

Plot

The Smurfs 2 follows the story of Gargamel, who creates a couple of Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties to help him steal the Smurf essence. The Naughties, Vexy and Hackus, are sent to the human world to kidnap Smurfette and bring her back to Gargamel. The Smurfs, led by Papa Smurf, team up with their human friends Patrick Winslow and Victor Doyle to rescue Smurfette and stop Gargamel's evil plans. Along the way, they meet Blue Winslow, Patrick Winslow's stepfather, who helps them in their mission. The film features a range of characters, including Clumsy Smurf, Brainy Smurf, and Hefty Smurf, and takes the audience on a journey from the Smurf village to the city of Paris, where they encounter famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.

Production

The production of The Smurfs 2 began in 2011, with Raja Gosnell returning as the director and Jordan Kerner producing the film. The screenplay was written by J. David Stem, David N. Weiss, Jay Scherick, and David Ronn, with Karey Kirkpatrick and Chris Poche contributing to the story. The film features a mix of live-action and computer-generated imagery (CGI), with the Smurfs and other creatures being created using CGI. The film's visual effects were created by Sony Pictures Imageworks, with Jay Redd serving as the visual effects supervisor. The production team also included Phil Méheux as the cinematographer and Sabrina Plisco as the editor.

Cast

The cast of The Smurfs 2 includes Neil Patrick Harris as Patrick Winslow, Brendan Gleeson as Victor Doyle, Jayma Mays as Grace Winslow, Katy Perry as the voice of Smurfette, and Hank Azaria as Gargamel. The film also features the voice talents of Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf, Alan Cumming as Gutsy Smurf, and Christina Ricci as the voice of Vexy. Other cast members include J.B. Smoove as Hackus, Shaquille O'Neal as Smooth Smurf, and Shaun White as Clumsy Smurf. The film's cast also includes Jacob Tremblay as Blue Winslow and Nancy O'Dell as Lizette».

Release

The Smurfs 2 was released in the United States on July 31, 2013, by Columbia Pictures. The film was released in 3D and 2D formats, with a range of promotional partners, including McDonald's, Toys "R" Us, and Sony Xperia. The film's release was accompanied by a range of merchandise, including toys, clothing, and video games. The film was also released in a range of countries, including Canada, Mexico, and Australia, with Sony Pictures Releasing handling the international distribution.

Reception

The Smurfs 2 received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film's visual effects and voice cast, while others criticized the storyline and humor. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 14%, based on 115 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1/10. The film also holds a Metacritic score of 34 out of 100, based on 32 reviews. Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $347 million worldwide, with a production budget of $105 million. The film's success can be attributed to its appeal to families and fans of the Smurfs franchise, with the film being released in a range of countries, including China, Japan, and Brazil.

Music

The music for The Smurfs 2 was composed by Heitor Pereira, with a range of songs featured in the film, including Britney Spears's Ooh La La and G.R.L.'s Vacation. The film's soundtrack was released by RCA Records and features a range of artists, including CeeLo Green, Owl City, and Becky G. The film's score was also released, featuring Heitor Pereira's original compositions. The music in the film plays an important role in enhancing the visual effects and storyline, with the Smurfs' theme song being featured prominently throughout the film. The film's music was also influenced by the works of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs franchise, with the film's score incorporating elements of Belgian music and European folk music.