“Smurfs,” directed by Chris Miller and written by Pam Brady, is a colourful animated musical that blends light-hearted action, catchy tunes, and a warm message about embracing individuality. Rihanna voices Smurfette and contributes an original song, bringing a bright, spunky energy to the character, even if her performance doesn’t fully compensate for the film’s broader shortcomings.

The story follows No Name Smurf (James Corden), a blue villager lacking a unique identity, who unexpectedly acquires magical powers tied to a mysterious book. This magical talent draws the attention of wizard Razamel and his brother Gargamel, who kidnap Papa Smurf (John Goodman), setting off a globe-trotting rescue mission through dimensions—complete with a brief claymation segment and stops in Paris, Munich, and Australia.

Critics applaud its vivid animation—merging CGI with comic-style visuals—and the upbeat slapstick that recalls classic Smurfs charm. Yet many find it superficially entertaining, with a thin plot, juvenile jokes, and tonal inconsistency that hamper deeper emotional impact.

Ultimately, “Smurfs” is a mild, family-friend outing: visually engaging and parent-approved, but lacking depth and memorability for adult viewers. Its heartfelt theme of self-discovery is sweet but underexplored.