Smurfs: The Lost Village

Story

Smurfs: The Lost Village is an action-packed children’s animated adventure movie that’s based on the original Smurfs comic book series. The Smurfs live in a peaceful village in the forest. Smurfette (voice of Demi Lovato) is the only girl in the village, and she isn’t sure what her purpose in life is supposed to be. One day, when she’s out Smurf-boarding in the forest with her friends – Clumsy Smurf (voice of Jack McBrayer), Hefty Smurf (voice of Joe Manganiello) and Brainy Smurf (voice of Danny Pudi) – Smurfette is captured by the evil wizard Gargamel (voice of Rainn Wilson).

Gargamel has a plan to catch as many Smurfs as he can to harness their magical powers for his own evil deeds, but Smurfette and her friends escape back to the village. Although they’re home and safe, they feel it’s their duty to go on a mission to the Lost Village to tell this distant Smurf community that it might be in danger. They’ve never travelled so far. It’s a perilous adventure and a big surprise awaits them when they finally find the Lost Village.

Themes

This movie has a strong theme of female empowerment, and there are some good female characters, but it’s very gender stereotypical. For example, Smurfette takes on the whole adventure in her high heels.

Other themes include not fitting in to your community and being different.

Violence

Smurfs: The Lost Village has some animated, slapstick violence. For example:

Jokey Smurf has a fake, boxed present. When another Smurf opens it, a boxing glove pops out and punches him in the face. This happens repeatedly.
Smurfette kicks another Smurf in the groin (martial arts style) and the Smurf says, ‘High-heels hurt!’.
Clumsy Smurf is repeatedly punched in the face by an oversized flower in the forest.
Gargamel picks up a fish and slaps it violently in the face. The fish then does it back to Gargamel.

Sexual references

Smurfs: The Lost Village has some mild sexual references and innuendo, as well as some mild crude humour. For example:

Hefty Smurf (who is strong and lifts weights) is romantically interested in Smurfette and makes mildly flirtatious comments to her.
When Papa Smurf and SmurfWillow are trapped in a cage together, Papa Smurf says, ‘Let’s get this cage rocking!’, and SmurfWillow replies ‘Don’t get weird’.
Brainy Smurf writes some mathematical equations on a blackboard to impress some of the girl Smurfs. When Brainy Smurf turns to the girls, Hefty Smurf quickly draws a puff of wind coming out of his bottom.
When Gargamel is bitten on his bottom by a fish he says, ‘I didn’t know they were bottom feeders!’.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None of concern

Nudity and sexual activity

None of concern

Product placement

There is no product placement of concern in Smurfs: The Lost Village, but plenty of merchandise associated with this movie is being marketed to children.

Coarse language

Smurfs: The Lost Village has some mild coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Smurfs: The Lost Village is an enjoyable action adventure with a strong female empowerment message. The animation is colourful and visually exciting. The main messages from this movie are that it’s OK to be different, and that it’s important to work as part of a team and look out for your friends and community.

Smurfs: The Lost Village has some scary scenes and characters, so it isn’t recommended for very young children. We also recommend parental guidance for children aged 5-7 years.

You might like to talk with your children about the gender stereotypes in the movie.