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Category:    Home > Reviews > Animation > Fantasy > Comedy > Adventure > CGI Animation > Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017/Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)

Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017/Sony 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)



Picture: A/B+ Sound: A/B+ Extras: B Film: C+



The Smurfs is one of those properties that refuses to go away, as here we are with another entry in the franchise and the third feature length film in recent years from Sony. At least going the full animated route this time and keeping live action humans out of it, Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) is sure to entertain small children and remind adults of the classic cartoon series when they were younger. Aside from that, there really isn't anything really new or groundbreaking here except for keeping in the tradition of the property while updating it slightly.


Smurfs: The Lost Village features an all-star voice cast which includes Demi Lovato (Camp Rock franchise) as Smurfette, Rainn Wilson (The Office) as Gargamel, Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike) as Hefty Smurf, Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Clumsy Smurf, Danny Pudi (Community) as Brainy Smurf, Michelle Rodriguez (The Fate of the Furious) as SmurfStorm, Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) as SmurfBlossom, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as SmurfLily, with Mandy Patinkin (Homeland), as Papa Smurf and Julia Roberts as SmurfWillow.


When the Smurfs uncover a mysterious map, Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty embark on an exciting journey through the Forbidden Forest; a place that is filled with magical creatures, in an attempt to find a mysterious lost village. Of course, their admirable foe, the evil wizard Gargamel, also has his own diabolical scheme for the lost village as well. Who will get there first?


Presented in 2160p with HDR (high dynamic range 10-bit color) on 4K Ultra HD disc and a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a few impressive lossless audio tracks including the impeccable Dolby Atmos 11.1 track and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track as well (and, of course, several foreign language tracks depending on your territory), which track you choose to listen to will of course depend on your home theater specs.


Visually, the difference between the 4K UHD disc and the (also included) 1080p Blu-ray aren't too drastic but still noticeable. Some finer details are found on the Smurf clothing (including hats) are a bit more detailed as well as some of the background pieces as well. The film is quite colorful, throwing back a bit to the animated series in terms of style, and looks nice on both discs. Audio tracks match both formats.


A Digital UV copy of the film is also included.



Special Features:


Filmmaker Commentary


Meghan Trainor "I'm A Lady" Music Video


The Emoji Movie Sneak Peek


Featurettes:

"Kids at Heart! The Making of Smurfs: The Lost Village"

"Demi Lovato Meets Smurfette"

"Lost Village Dance Along"

"Smurfify Your Nails"

"Baker Smurf's Mini Kitchen"

"How To Draw Smurfette"

"How To Draw Brainy"

"How To Draw Clumsy"

"Making The Song 'You Will Always Find Me In Your Heart'"

"The Sound Of The Smurfs"


Deleted Scenes (Blu-ray exclusive)


and Featurette: (Blu-ray exclusive)

"The Lost Auditions"



For kids or diehard Smurfs and Smurfettes only, there isn't anything too new in The Lost Village except for a few new characters and a bunch of older ones. Still, the film is a nice test to see how the 4K UHD format handles animated titles, and in that regard it's a pass.


For the previous Smurfs theatrical features in 4K, try these links...


Smurfs 4K (2011)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/14834/Sesame+Street:+Elmo+&+Cookie+Mo


Smurfs 2 (2013)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/14133/Alvin+and+The+Chipmunks:+The+Road+Chip+(20



- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/


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