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Parents' Guide to

The Smurfs and the Magic Flute

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Classic 'toon movie shows age but still entertains families.

Movie G 2012 71 minutes
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

age 5+

maybe a 3-star

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

This classic cartoon is a must-see for Smurf fans, to be sure, and it's a pleasant enough way for most families to while away an hour in front of the TV if that's what you're looking to do. But The Smurfs and the Magic Flute does show its age, and, for better or for worse, by today's entertainment standards, it's a fairly bland offering. It's driven less by action and more by dialogue -- and even at times plods along without any of that, either -- and kids who are used to the Smurf TV series' 30-minute format will find the movie's production value subpar and the story a little long, especially considering that nearly half of it is spent without the friendly blue gnomes in sight.

That's the bad news. The good news is that the lengthy format offers kids a chance to exercise their attention span beyond that 30-minute window, and the story is rich in positive messages. There are admonishments against greed and selfishness, examples of the benefits of patience, and some deference to the wisdom of elders, among others. There's a commercial tie-in to consider, of course, but it's not as much of a consideration as it may have been during the Smurfs' '80s heyday.

Movie Details

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