The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants, and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world¹s greatest sorcerer. It's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexy and Hackus or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?
The trouble with this stunted sequel is that the doughy, blobby-hatted Smurfs are mostly window dressing for an abrasive slapstick bash built around a tiresome kidnap plot ...
– Owen Gleiberman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jul 2013
rotten:
It would be too much to say that there's a good movie somewhere inside Smurfs 2 looking to get out. But it wouldn't be too much to say that sometimes, the movie we do have tries harder than we might expect.
– Bilge Ebiri,
New York Magazine/Vulture,
31 Jul 2013
rotten:
Not so much of a film as it is a collection of images and sounds that bludgeon you.
– Laremy Legel,
Film.com,
31 Jul 2013
rotten:
"The Smurfs 2" probably isn't any worse than you might expect. On the other hand, it's almost certainly not any better.
– Bruce Ingram,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Aug 2013
fresh:
Yes, this is the point in the summer when I outsource my critical judgment to my kids.