Feminists put off by Smurfette's origin story and the gender imbalance in Smurf world will be pleased with what this quartet of travelers uncovers when they venture beyond their usual confines.

In helming the third in a series of feature-length outings for the creatures first dreamed up by Belgian cartoonist Peyo (Pierre Culliford, 1928-1992) in the 1950s, director Kelly Asbury eschews the mix of animation and live action used in the two previous films. The result is visually pleasing but lacking in substance.

Screenwriters Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon's script does promote teamwork and good moral choices while avoiding the use of the word Smurf to mask adult terms and downplaying potty gags. But the story they tell will likely satisfy only the least demanding youngsters.

Adults nostalgic for the Hanna-Barbera produced TV series that aired on NBC in the 1980s -- and first made the Smurfs a hit in this country -- may also be willing to settle for what's on offer in a movie that hovers at the level of a Saturday morning kids' show. They shouldn't expect more than a single episode's worth of plot or action, though.

The film contains occasional peril and some mild scatological humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.

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CAPSULE REVIEW

"Smurfs: The Lost Village" (Columbia)

Colorful but unengaging children's cartoon in which, as the blue elves of the title -- Mandy Patinkin voices their leader -- continue to defend themselves against the schemes of the evil wizard (voice of Rainn Wilson) who has long sought to steal their youth-restoring, power-bestowing "essence," the sole female among them (voiced by Demi Lovato) has an identity crisis which leads to a journey of discovery on which she's joined by a trio of her male counterparts (voices of Joe Manganiello, Jack McBrayer and Danny Pudi). In helming the third in a series of feature-length outings for the creatures first dreamt up by Belgian cartoonist Peyo, director Kelly Asbury eschews the mix of animation and live action used in the two previous films. While the result is visually pleasing, and screenwriters Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon's script promotes teamwork and good moral choices, the story they tell will satisfy only the least demanding youngsters. Occasional peril, some mild scatological humor. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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CLASSIFICATION

"Smurfs: The Lost Village" (Columbia) -- Catholic News Service classification, A-I -- general patronage. Motion Picture Association of America rating, PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.