Scene from “Smurfs.”
Smurfs — a new animated adventure starring the voices of Rihanna, John Goodman and James Corden — is being met with harsh reviews from Rotten Tomatoes critics.
Rated PG, Smurfs opens in theaters nationwide on Friday. The official summary for the film reads, “When Papa Smurf (Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.
In addition to Rihanna and Goodman, Smurfs also stars the voices of Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, James Corden, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Marshmello and Kurt Russell.
As of this publication, Smurfs has earned a 20% “rotten” rating on RT based on 54 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus for the film reads, “Antic and zany without being particularly fun, this incarnation of Smurfs just isn’t the smurfest tool in the shed.”
RT’s Popcornmeter score from verified user ratings are still pending.
What Do Individual Critics Have To Say About ‘Smurfs’?
Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood Daily is among the top critics on RT who gives Smurfs a “rotten” review, writing in his review summary, “Paramount Animation brings it to what life there is, but it is certainly a disappointment in light of the fantastic and smart animated reboot the studio did with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles a couple of years ago.”
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter also gives Smurfs a “rotten” rating on RT, writing, “It’s directed by Chris Miller, who also voices Grouchy Smurf. Watching the movie makes it easy to understand why he chose that character.”
Also unimpressed with the movie is Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent (UK), who writes in her review summary, “This Smurfs might just be the worst of the lot, because it’s simultaneously derivative and so crammed with new Smurfs lore that it may make you yearn for the comparatively humble hijinks of Marvel’s multiverse.”
Alison Willmore of New York Magazine/Vulture also gives the film a “rotten” review on RT, writing, “Smurfs rushes toward a finale so generic it could have been lifted from a variety of blockbusters over recent years.”
Amid the smattering of bad reviews, Glenn Kenny of the New York Times gives Smurfs a “fresh” review on RT, writing, “It’s refreshing to see children’s animation makers use surrealism, instead of winking pop-culture references, to charm adults.”
Nell Minnow of RogerEbert.com also gives Smurfs a “fresh” review on RT, writing, “There is plenty to satisfy the long-time fans, including the usual cuddly themes and replacement of various words with ‘Smurf.’”
Smurfs opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.
