Find your thing – Beyond Bollywood

Paramount begins its Smurf journey with a refreshing musical animated reboot of Peyo’s popular cartoon world. Rihanna, John Goodman, James Corden, and the entire fresh voice cast bring new energy, yet the Smurfs’ nostalgia isn’t lost.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ( 3 / 5)

By Mayur Lookhar

Belgian comic writer Pierre Culliford, better known by his pseudonym Peyo, gained fame with Johan and Peewit in 1947. Eleven years later, he introduced the Smurfs within the Johan and Peewit comic series. The tiny blue beings’ popularity sparked the Smurfs film series, beginning with a monochrome theatrical release in 1965, followed by the animated film The Smurfs and the Magic Flute in 1976. The Smurfs and the Magic Flute was released theatrically in the USA roughly 30 years later, enhancing its global appeal.

Sony Pictures Animation, Columbia Pictures then produced two live action films – The Smurfs (2011) and the sequel The Smurfs 2 (2013). A reboot in 2017 saw Sony, Columbia switch to animation only.  In 2022, Paramount Pictures, through Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies, acquired the rights to produce multiple animated Smurfs films, in partnership with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (now Peyo Company).

Three years after securing the rights, Paramount Animation released their first Smurfs film, simply titled Smurfs (2025). With a fresh voice cast led by Rihanna, who also serves as a producer, the movie introduces new Smurf characters, including a lead protagonist, a new villain, and a vibrant musical twist. That’s the vibe Paramount’s marketing leaned into. Directing this animated film is Chris Miller, best known for Shrek the Third and Puss in Boots. The story is written by, surprisingly, Pam Brady, known for her edgy content.

Story

The musical kicks off with a vibrant, groovy song, Everything Goes with Blue, by South African singer Tyla. The opening line, “Blue Butta Bum Bum,” is incredibly infectious as the Smurfs dance, and viewers can’t help but tap along. With a fresh voice, Everything Goes with Blue feels perfectly fitting.

Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Vanity Smurf, and Gargamel are returning characters from the previous films, now voiced by Rihanna, John Goodman, Chris Miller, Maya Erskine (note: Rylan Clark voices Vanity in the film’s UK dubbing), and JP Karliak, respectively. Miller largely centers his film around a new protagonist named No Name Smurf, (voiced by James Corden). Why he’s the only one without a name is a bit puzzling, but for No Name, the bigger concern is his belief that he’s good for nothing. Much like Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), this film also follows a journey of self-discovery through an adventurous ride.

While Gargamel is an indispensable part of the Smurfs’ world, Miller and Pam Brady introduce a new antagonist, Razamel (also voiced by Karliak), his younger brother. Razamel has vowed to rid the world of all goodness. Through dark arts, he has taken control of three sentient books, and corrupted them. The only one that has remained out of his reach is the Jonty Grimoire, long guarded by Papa Smurf in Smurf Village. When Razamel captures Papa Smurf, it sets Smurfette, No Name, and the other Smurfs on a mission to rescue their wise old village head.

Screenplay & Direction

This reviewer had seen the 2011 live-action film in parts but barely remembers it now. Having missed the subsequent two films, there hasn’t been much emotional connection with the Smurfs franchise or its previous voice cast. So, for viewers like myself, Chris Miller’s Smurfs naturally feels like a new experience. There’s a slight hangover from The Lost Village, but Miller and Pam Brady largely present a refreshing reboot of the franchise. This fully animated film, interspersed with a few comic-style strips, feels more grounded than the hybrid live-action models of the 2011 and 2013 films. Some of the multi-dimensional adventures play out like a video game, with fun references to classic titles.

Gargamel has long aspired to take control of the Smurfs. His brother Razamel, however, is out to destroy them – most menacingly by trying to crush them with a giant, fist-like machine. Perhaps this dark instinct can be pinned on co-writer Pam Brady. Razamel often entrusts this task to his henchman Joel (voiced by Dan Levy), a college student. While Razamel is undeniably a formidable force, his presence somewhat undermines the role of resident villain Gargamel. A bit of boldness is also reflected in Smurfette’s tone when she clashes with Ken (voiced by Nick Offerman), Papa Smurf’s brother. Though this is a children’s film, tempers flare and fingers are pointed in a heated exchange between Ken and Smurfette. In a more adult-oriented film, such a confrontation might have included explicit language, but here Brady masks it with phrases like “What the Smurf” and “Smurf it up.” While fun for adults, this innuendo-laden wordplay may not be entirely suitable for little children.

On the whole, Brady’s writing and the screenplay land well, offering a playful yet emotionally grounded narrative. Director Chris Miller brings his signature blend of humour, heart, and stylized storytelling to the film, making it feel both fresh and accessible even for those unfamiliar with earlier entries in the franchise. Visually, the film embraces new stylistic elements inspired by Peyo’s original comics, with Cinesite’s animation incorporating comic-style touches such as action lines, thought bubbles, and cel-shaded aesthetics. These choices not only add visual flair but also root the film more firmly in its comic origins.

Voice Acting

If you’re a Smurf loyalist, it might be hard to accept this reboot with an entirely new voice cast. But hey, we had a new voice cast in The Lost Village too, so Paramount can’t be faulted for doing the same with Smurfs (2025). In fact, it had to. With Rihanna at the helm, you get a singer as well as a star. While she convinces as Smurfette, her original song “Friend of Mine” doesn’t quite land. That said, this version of Smurfette is braver, bolder, and more assertive.

Who better than John Goodman to voice the righteous Papa Smurf? For all the evil and chaos that surrounds them, it’s the inherent goodness of the Smurfs that eventually rubs off on most. Reboots may come and go, voices may change, but the spirit of the Smurfs remains timeless, and Goodman carries that legacy forward with heart. Meanwhile, Kurt Russell is introduced as another brother, Ron, who had valiantly sacrificed himself to save his siblings, Papa and Ken.

Apart from Papa Smurf and Smurfette, it’s admittedly hard to distinguish many of the other Smurfs in the village. But to their credit, Miller and Brady make a sincere effort to introduce a handful of distinct Smurf personalities. The one who truly stands out, and builds the strongest emotional connection is the protagonist, No Name. Underconfident and unsure of himself, No Name constantly risks being dismissed as a loser. Smurf or human –  who hasn’t struggled to find their true calling, that one thing that makes them special, especially during those uncertain adolescent years? Yet No Name earns admiration through the gentle, self-effacing tone that James Corden brings to the role. Corden strikes a delicate balance between humor and vulnerability, making No Name’s journey feel relatable and sincere.

A special mention must be made of Sound Effect Smurf, who brilliantly captures the film’s shifting moods, tones, and situations through his expressive flair. Miller had used a mime to evoke similar reactions in Shrek the Third, and this feels like a creative echo of that approach. While Gargamel may feel slightly sidelined, JP Karliak still brings real menace to the role. However, his character is a bit underwhelming while interacting with the intergalactic wizards – Asmodius, Chernobog, and Jezebeth. Adding a contemporary twist, Miller and Brady have Razamel communicate with these dark forces through Zoom calls, injecting a bit of modern satire into the magical chaos.

Most of the visual creations are enchanting and we also see a tardigrade character in a film voiced by Jimmy Kimmel, who had previously voiced Passive-Aggressive Smurf in Sony’s The Smurfs 2.

Music

For all its musical promise, Smurfs plays more like a fantasy adventure. The soundtrack features plenty of tracks, though only a few make it into the film. The opening number, Everything Goes with Blue, is a delight, and James Corden strikes a deep emotional chord with his heartfelt rendition of Always on the Outside. While traditionalists may not be entirely pleased, Paramount Animation expands the Smurfs’ global appeal by including Desi tracks featuring artists like Natania Lalwani, and Subhi Khanna. The closing number, set to a lively mix of Punjabi and Hindi lyrics, is bound to draw cheers from Indian audiences around the world.

Final Word

At a time when franchise fatigue is running high, Paramount Animation manages to deliver a surprisingly fresh experience with this reboot. By blending classic charm with bold new ideas both visually and musically. Smurfs feels more like a reawakening than a retread.

Smurfs (2025) releases in India on 18 July.