Latest news with #Smurfs
Daily Mirror
12 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The best August movie releases for kids and incredible £1 cinema ticket deals
A range of cinemas across the UK are offering special deals for families this summer, with tickets from as little as £1 at some locations and the return of some family favourites to the big screen With the summer holidays in full swing and the British weather as unpredictable as ever, finding ways to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks can feel like a full-time job. But cinemas across the country are stepping in to make life easier for parents, with a stellar line-up of family-friendly films this August, plus budget-friendly deals to help stretch the cash. Whether you've got superhero superfans, budding dino-hunters, or animation addicts in the house, there's something for everyone on the big screen - and some incredible throwback favourites returning, too. New releases One of this summer's standout releases is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest chapter in the Marvel universe that's packed with action and humour to keep all ages hooked. Meanwhile, James Gunn has officially kicked off his new DC era with Superman, bringing a fresh twist to a classic hero. Prefer raptors over capes? You're in luck - Jurassic World: Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, continues to dominate the box office. It's a thrill ride packed with prehistoric spectacle that dino-lovers won't want to miss. Animation fans are also spoiled for choice. DreamWorks returns with The Bad Guys 2, where our favourite gang of misfit animals find themselves face-to-face with a fierce all-girl crime crew. And over at Paramount, the Smurfs get a stylish reboot - with Rihanna lending her voice to one of the blue bunch. Offers Cinemas have launched offers for families wanting to save cash this summer, with Cineworld offering £5 tickets for a range of releases. You can catch the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, Pixar's cosmic adventure Elio, and the heartwarming Lilo & Stitch remake. Even better, the Be More Childish campaign means adults pay the same price as kids, making it possible for a family of four to enjoy a film for just £20. ODEON are also offering cheaper deals on Mondays, with all tickets costing just £4.50 when booked via the ODEON app. Vue are also offering tickets for as little as £2.49 when booked online, with Sky Cinema customers able to bag two free tickets every month. Cineworld is also bringing back a selection of family favourites - and tickets are just £1 per person. Throughout August, participating cinemas will show: Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Moana 2, Paddington in Peru and A Minecraft Movie. Some locations will also screen Flow, Transformers One, Snow White (live action), and Dog Man.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: A bit of a blue mess
THE vibrant, pint-sized inhabitants of the forest are on the big screen once more with the fully animated new "Smurfs" movie, a 2025 reboot that seeks to rekindle the magic of Peyo's beloved creations. But after years of mixed cinematic outings, does this latest foray capture the whimsical charm that has captivated generations, or is it another attempt to capitalise on a classic franchise? Directed by Chris Miller and boasting a voice cast like Rihanna as a feisty Smurfette and James Corden as the rather aptly named No Name Smurf, this iteration doesn't lack star power. The animation itself is a visual treat – bright, colourful, and a delightful departure from the somewhat jarring live-action/CGI hybrids of yesteryear. On the large cinema screen, the Smurf Village and their perilous journeys are rendered with appealing detail, which might just be enough to enchant young viewers. So is the new "Smurfs" movie something that fans and families should check out? While some audience members might be more forgiving, finding some entertainment in its simple shenanigans, other critical viewers might find the storyline a bit of a blue mess. The narrative centres on No Name Smurf's quest for identity, intertwined with a mission to rescue Papa Smurf from the clutches of the mischievous Gargamel and his equally malevolent brother, Razamel. The plot attempts to introduce new lore and even dabbles in the multiverse concept, but it often feels convoluted and lacking in wit or substance. The theme of self-discovery, while admirable, gets lost amid the quest. The pacing, too, is a mixed bag depending on your patience . While some might argue that it maintains a brisk enough clip to hold a child's attention, others might lament periods of tedium, particularly between the more animated sequences and the film's musical numbers. While Rihanna's Smurfette does lend her vocal talents, the songs don't always integrate into the adventure. As for the action scenes, they are present, certainly, but few are memorable. The film relies more on general adventurous antics than set pieces. And while the voice cast is A-list, their performances can be described as serviceable rather than standout. When measured against its predecessors, this 2025 "Smurfs" fares surprisingly well compared with previous cinematic outings. It's not that this new movie is brilliant. Rather, its perceived quality is boosted by the subpar production and storylines of prior Smurfs films. And for those who grew up with the classic cartoon series, this latest offering might feel off-key. It struggles to recapture the simple charm, the gentle humour and the enduring heart of the original tales. The new elements and the pursuit of a grander adventure can dilute the essence that made the "Smurfs" so endearing in the first place. For families with very young children seeking vibrant visuals and a straightforward, if somewhat uninspired, adventure, "Smurfs" (2025) might provide an hour and a half of distraction. But for anyone hoping for an engaging, laugh-out-loud, or nostalgically resonant cinematic experience, it might be best to just revisit the animated series instead. This Smurfy adventure, while visually appealing, often feels like a missed opportunity to bring the little blue creatures back to their glorious roots. SMURFS Directed by Chris Miller Featuring the voice talents of Rihanna, Amy Sedaris, James Corden, Kurt Russell, John Goodman Duration: 92 mins Classification: P12
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
For smallest Smurfs
PARAMOUNT'S Smurfs is an animated musical that wears its intentions loud, proud and incredibly blue. Rebooted for a new generation, this splashy feature film does not shy away from its target audience, children who still think the word 'fart' is the peak of comedy and who do not question how a mushroom village has a working intergalactic portal. Directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots), with a screenplay by South Park alum Pam Brady, the movie reintroduces Peyo's iconic blue characters in a story that is bright, basic and built with the youngest audience in mind. It is an unmissable treat for kids and a lukewarm offering for the parents and adults who accompany them, many of whom may find themselves absorbing the entire 100 minutes with a mildly amused, blank stare. Rihanna smurfs it up Front and centre in the cast is Rihanna as Smurfette, the film's heart and hero, who not only brings vocal charm but also contributes original songs. The pop star's performance is solid, but it is Nick Offerman as Ken (Papa Smurf's long-lost brother) who delivers one of the more enjoyable voice turns. Offerman's signature gruff warmth and deadpan delivery bring a much-needed sense of comedic grounding to the otherwise bouncy world of giggles and glitter. John Goodman lends his always-reliable voice to Papa Smurf, while JP Karliak doubles up impressively as two villainous wizards. Supporting roles from James Corden, Sandra Oh, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris and Octavia Spencer pad out a cast list so stacked, it could practically rival an animated version of the Oscars red carpet. Yet despite the megawatt names, most characters are more memorable for their quirk-based design than any real arc or emotional resonance. Predictable journey, few blue detours From a narrative standpoint, Smurfs sticks very much to the safe, well-travelled road of animated adventure. Something goes wrong in the Smurf Village, prompting a journey into the human world, where wacky characters are met, lessons are learned and songs are sung. It is a straightforward A-to-B-to-C kind of structure, competent, yes, but never reaching for anything bolder. While the script tries to elevate its simple premise with themes of identity, destiny and friendship, the execution remains surface-level, offering just enough engagement for kids without ever challenging them (or their guardians) with anything too complex or emotional. There is a lot of noise, a lot of sparkle and not much depth, which, depending on one's age, could be either a plus or a minus. Colourful, sonic buffet Being a musical, the film naturally leans into rhythm and rhyme and the soundtrack, led by Rihanna's contributions, is catchy in a bubblegum-pop kind of way. There is no Let It Go-style breakout here, but the songs do their job: short, snappy and singable by recess. Visually, Smurfs looks great. The animation by Cinesite is crisp, fluid and filled with colour-saturated landscapes that shift from fantasy forests to stylised real-world cityscapes. Children will be dazzled by the nonstop motion and expressive character designs, while adults may find themselves admiring the technical polish even as their brains quietly check out during the third dance number. Comic relief that mostly lands with kids The humour is broad, sometimes absurd and clearly engineered to generate giggles from the under-15 crowd. Expect slapstick, funny faces and the occasional fart joke. For the adults, there are a few winks and nods scattered throughout, but nothing particularly sharp or subversive. Some of the comedic heavy lifting falls to Natasha Lyonne's Mama Poot and Amy Sedaris' talking book character, both of whom inject a bit of oddball flair into the mix. Even so, the film plays things safe. There is no wild tonal experimentation or fourth-wall breaking here, just cheerful antics and predictable payoffs. Adults may find themselves chuckling occasionally, but mostly they will be watching with a passive smile (or, more honestly, a straight face). Movie that knows its audience Smurfs is a textbook example of a family movie that leans hard into the 'kids' part of 'kids and family.' For younger viewers, it is a dream: nonstop action, silly characters and colourful settings that leap off the screen. For adults, it is a pleasant-enough experience with moments of charm but little staying power. Is it groundbreaking? Not at all. Is it enjoyable for kids? Absolutely. Is it tolerable for the adults in tow? Thankfully, yes, especially when Offerman is on screen. In the end, it is a movie that feels like a glitter bomb of Saturday morning cartoons and pop-star power. Watch it with kids and they will likely be bouncing in their seats. Watch it alone as an adult and... well, just do not. DIRECTOR: Chris Miller CAST: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Natasha Lyonne, John Goodman E-VALUE: 5/10 PLOT: 5/10 ACTING: 5/10
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Write a funny caption for this child in a crowd of blue creatures
Have you met the Smurfs? These small, blue humanlike creatures are the main characters in a Belgian comic of the same name. This month, you can meet them in cinemas in Smurfs, an animated and live-action musical film reboot. The all-star cast is led by pop singer Rihanna and sees the Smurfs heading into the real world to save the beloved Papa Smurf. Staff writer Send us a funny caption by emailing us at editorial@ or filling out this form . The deadline is at 12pm on July 30. We'll publish the best ones next week. Last week's top caption Two people wearing hotdog hats line up to watch Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City. via AFP Hayley Sum, St Paul's Convent School: Looks like some people forgot their plates!
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Fantastic Four' tops North American box office with $118M
Pedro Pascal's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" is the No. 1 movie in North America this weekend. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI | License Photo July 27 (UPI) -- The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $118 million in receipts this weekend, announced Sunday. Coming in at No. 2 is Superman with $24.9 million, followed by Jurassic World: Rebirth at No. 3 with $13 million, F1: The Movie at No. 4 with $6.2 million and Smurfs at No. 5 with $5.4 million. Rounding out the top tier are I Know What You Did Last Summer at No. 6 with $2.8 million, How to Train Your Dragon at No. 7 with $2.8 million, Eddington at No. 8 with $1.7 million, Oh, Hi! at No. 9 with $1.1 million and The Home at No. 10 with $1 million.
