Smurfs: The Lost Village 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Smurfs: The Lost Village" enjoys a visually pleasing 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, albeit sprouting from a 2K Digital Intermediate (DI), leading to an upscale rather than a true 4K rendering. Despite this, the 2160p resolution framed at 1.85:1 aspect ratio delivers an image that surpasses its Blu-ray counterpart in terms of stability, clarity, and realism. The use of HDR and a Wider Colour Gamut (WCG) enriches the visuals, allowing for a more nuanced depiction of the Smurfs' vibrant enclave. Detailing, as observed in the texture of Smurf clothing and the intricate environments of the Smurf village, shines with added clarity, making every thread and leaf discernibly more defined. These video enhancements are encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec on a BD-66 layer disc, ensuring that the animation's colorful essence is faithfully maintained.

Interestingly, the transition to 4K UHD does not radically alter the visual experience. The finer details—such as fabric textures, individual hairs, and nuanced environmental elements—benefit from a slight uptick in sharpness and definition. However, the enhancements are mild and may not justify an upgrade from the already impressive 1080p Blu-ray for every viewer. The HDR treatment modifies the color palette, presenting more realistic tones that deviate from the Blu-ray's brighter and more saturated colors. This alteration leads to a more authentic representation of the Smurfs' world, though it arguably diminishes the film's inherent cheerfulness to a degree.

The application of HDR technology contributes significantly to the depth and richness of colors, offering a palette that balances realism with the animated vibrancy expected of a Smurf adventure. Despite this realism, the UHD version doesn't entirely eclipse its Blu-ray counterpart in visual impact, hinting at a nuanced upgrade where detailed textures and environmental richness are slightly more pronounced. The black levels are impeccably deep, enhancing the overall image's contrast without sacrificing detail. It's a predominantly clean presentation free from video noise or artifacts, asserting itself as a sturdy upgrade for enthusiasts seeking the finest visual nuances of this animated escapade.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Smurfs: The Lost Village" boasts an audio experience that not only surpasses expectations but serves as a benchmark for immersive soundtracks, thanks primarily to its Dolby Atmos track. Built upon a solid Dolby TrueHD 5.1 core, the Atmos track delivers an aural spectacle brimming with lively forest escapades, thrilling chases, and enchanting music montages. From the nuanced ambience of the Smurf village to the dynamic rendering of action sequences, sound elements transition seamlessly across the soundscape, offering pinpoint accuracy in localization and a palpable sense of space. Notably, additional speakers contribute to a more enriched auditory field, showcasing a remarkable clarity and depth in both music and environmental sounds without overshadowing the crisp, distinct dialogues.

The Atmos experience elevates the film's numerous set-pieces, with the score and popular songs from artists like Meghan Trainor and Alesso encapsulating the spirit of the Smurfs' adventure. Whether it's the thunderous roar of Gargamel's antics or the subtle rustle of creatures within the Lost Village, audio elements are layered with finesse, achieving an equilibrium that impresses without overwhelming. The attention to detail in the soundtrack's design, evidenced by crystal-clear vocals and a robust low-end presence, ensures that each moment, from the intensity of action scenes to quieter interludes, contributes to an engrossing narrative journey.

Moreover, the meticulous crafting of atmospheric sounds, including spellbinding effects and vivacious Smurf chatter, benefits significantly from the Atmos configuration. Height channels add a new dimension to the auditory experience, enabling sounds like magic swooshes or Smurfs in flight to traverse the room with lifelike trajectory and immersion. Combined with an exemplary LFE channel that adds substantial weight to explosions and magic spells, this soundtrack exemplifies how high-quality audio can envelop viewers, cementing "Smurfs: The Lost Village" as a definitive showcase for the capabilities of Dolby Atmos in home entertainment setups.

The ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Smurfs: The Lost Village" offers an audio commentary as its sole feature directly on the UHD disc, with Director Kelly Asbury, Animation Supervisor Alan Hawkins, and Head of Story Brandon Jeffords providing a comprehensive and entertaining insight into the movie's creation, discussing everything from character development to animation processes. The bulk of the supplementary material, however, is found on the accompanying Blu-ray disc. This includes a diverse array of extras such as deleted scenes in their preliminary forms, a making-of featurette that incorporates children in some interview segments for a playful twist, various small featurettes exploring the film's music, nail painting and drawing tutorials themed around the Smurfs, and a dance-along segment. Additionally, there are music videos, a unique 'Lost Auditions' feature, and an engaging 'Emoji Sneak Peek' for another film. Despite the majority of the content being brief in duration, these extras collectively offer a deeper dive into the world of "Smurfs: The Lost Village" and its creative process, enriching the viewing experience for fans and providing a varied exploration of the film's production and thematic elements.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: In-depth discussion with the movie's director and key animation personnel.

Deleted Scenes: A collection of scenes not included in the final cut.

Kids at Heart! The Making of Smurfs: The Lost Village: Featurette highlighting the making of the film with a playful twist involving kids.

The Lost Auditions: A humorous look at auditions for roles not played by the actors.

Demi Lovato Meets Smurfette: An interview segment where Smurfette interacts with her voice actor.

Lost Village Dance Along: A featurette encouraging viewers to dance along to one of the film’s songs.

Smurfify Your Nails: Tutorial on nail painting inspired by the movie.

Baker Smurf's Mini Kitchen: Cooking segment inspired by the Smurfs.

Music Video - I'm a Lady by Meghan Trainor: Meghan Trainor’s music video related to the film.

Making the Song You Will Always Find Me In Your Heart: Insight into the making of one of the film’s key songs.

The Sound of the Smurfs: A look at the sound design and music in the film.

Draw Your Favorite Smurfs: Tutorials on drawing various Smurf characters.

See More Smurfs!: Trailers and promotions for other Smurf movies and games.

Emoji Sneak Peek: Preview of an upcoming animated movie.

Previews: Trailers for additional Sony titles.

Smurfs: The Lost Village," a full departure from its live-action precursors, dives deeply into a digital rendition that endeavors to rejuvenate the beloved blue characters by centering its narrative around Smurfette’s quest. This transition to an exclusively animated universe presents both opportunities and drawbacks. By eschewing human characters and the blend of live action and animation seen in earlier outings, the film gains a cohesiveness in its storytelling and aesthetic, fully immersing viewers in the Smurfs' world. Despite notable absences, especially Hank Azaria's Gargamel, whose prior portrayal added a dynamic and comedic flavor, the film manages to uphold a charm specific to its animated legacy. However, the absence of live-action elements and the dynamic interplay between Smurfs and the human world leaves a void that this installment struggles to fill.

The film introduces Smurfette as a figure of intrigue and complexity, diverging from her traditionally singular identity among her counterparts through an exploration of her origins and purpose. Embarking on a vibrant journey filled with perils, she aims to uncover a fabled Lost Village, with Gargamel hot on her trail. Though the film invests in colorful adventures and endearing moments, it distinctly misses the mark in delivering the multi-layered engagement found in prior films, resulting in a narrative that feels both formulaic and confined in scale. The endeavor to rally around Smurfette and her companions unfolds against a backdrop of magical encounters and relentless pursuits by Gargamel, buoyed by commendable but ultimately non-memorable voice performances.

Nevertheless, "Smurfs: The Lost Village" showcases meticulous animation that vividly encapsulates the essence of the Smurfs' universe with bright colors and fluid motion, maintaining fidelity to the franchise's visual heritage. The shift to all-digital has allowed for a deeper dive into the fantastical elements that define the Smurf world, leveraging this advantage to craft sequences of adventure across diverse terrains. Yet, despite these efforts and the core message aimed at younger audiences, the film notably leans towards a demographic markedly younger than its predecessors, which possessed a broader appeal. While it might not reinvigorate the franchise or capture the nuanced charm that live-action elements previously offered, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of these small blue characters navigating their way through expansive narratives of discovery and self-identity.

Smurfs: The Lost Village" on 4K UHD Blu-ray presents an interesting case of ambition versus execution in modern animation. While it shifts away from the mixed live-action/animation approach of its predecessors, fully embracing its animated roots, this choice does not necessarily elevate it alongside giants in the genre like those produced by Pixar. It offers up a visually striking experience with the transition to fully animated environments, yet it tips its hat more towards a younger audience, arguably narrowing its appeal. Despite these narrative and thematic constraints, the 4K UHD Blu-ray package itself impresses. The 2160p/HDR visual enhancement provides a noticeable though not groundbreaking improvement over standard Blu-ray, complemented by an outstanding Atmos soundtrack that surprisingly excels, highlighting how much care went into this aspect of the release.

The film's focus on child-friendly content, coupled with the absence of beloved actors such as Hank Azaria, leaves a gap that the film struggles to fill with its new format. That said, the technical presentation cannot be faulted. With vibrant visuals and immersive audio, it caters well to fans and collectors alike. Generous supplementary materials add value, making it a solid addition to a family's movie night repertoire despite the main feature's failure to significantly stand out from the plethora of animated offerings out there.

In conclusion, "Smurfs: The Lost Village" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a competent yet unremarkable addition to the franchise. Its strengths lie not within its storytelling or character development, but in its technical presentation and special features. For enthusiasts of the franchise and families looking for visually appealing and easy-going entertainment for younger viewers, this release comes recommended. However, for those seeking depth and innovation in animation, this might not hit the mark.