In the 2011 film The Smurfs, the magical blue substance sought by the villains is Smurf essence.
The film follows the Smurfs after they are transported from their forest village into modern New York City. The wizard Gargamel wants to capture them and extract their essence, which he believes can increase his magical power. The substance is therefore a plot device connected to the Smurfs’ identity, not to the ancient Greek story of Pandora.
The 2011 movie combines live action with computer-generated characters and was directed by Raja Gosnell. It is based on the Belgian comic characters created by Peyo. The title and plot are sometimes remembered alongside other fantasy stories involving magical containers or substances, but “Smurf essence” is the specific term used in the film’s premise. The Smurfs’ blue color is central to the visual design and to Gargamel’s plan.