The Croods
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone
Directed By: Chris Sanders
Reviewed by Brendan Dousi
From the look of the somewhat low-brow (pun intended) advertising around for this film, people can be forgiven for assuming this is just one of those animated films parents can take their kids to because it has bright colours and it’ll keep them quiet/entertained for an hour or two. While this is nonetheless true, it is not at all the whole picture. The Croods is actually a fun, vibrant adventure that keeps the viewer entertained and may actually manage to tug at a few of your heartstrings.
At the core of the story is Eep (Emma Stone) and her father Grug’s (Nicholas Cage) relationship and how it is strained when the ever protective and overly-fearful father is challenged by a budding young woman who wants to explore the world. This is only exacerbated when a new guy comes onto the scene, aptly called ‘Guy’ (Ryan Reynolds) bearing fire and the news that the world as they know it is about to end. After this prophecy proceeds to come true, starting with an earthquake that destroys the Croods’ beloved cave, this prehistoric family has to brave many dangers as they rely on the new ways of thinking and ideas of ‘Guy’, a more evolved form of human, to a better life than squatting in a cave and simply surviving.
The story is very basic, but the ride is a fun one with gag after gag that actually manages to bring a smile to your face. Even a few one liners bring chuckles out of the adults. There’s more here for the kids, of course, who ooh and aah at all the action packed chase scenes (there’s quite a few, the whole movie is basically them running the entire time) and losing their shit over ‘Belt’, a cute Sloth that acts as Guy’s belt, who provides nothing at all except being the mandatory shoe-horned in ‘cute’ character. Oh well, the kids loved him at least. Us older children have quite a bit to gain with this film too, with some laugh out loud gags, breath-taking visuals and surprisingly emotional moments that might just have you welling up.
The most impressive thing about this movie, however, is how vibrantly beautiful it is. Director Chris Sanders (How To Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch) and his animation team have really outdone themselves in bringing to life multitudes of textures and colours that are only enhanced by their masterful use of 3D technology. Not to mention the multitude of imaginative animal mash-ups that run, skitter and soar throughout the background of this j
urassic landscape.
It’s certainly still quite far away from reaching Pixar standards, but if you’ve got a kid on your hands and are looking for a fun film to watch together that won’t actively attack an adult’s brain cells, The Croods is definitely the choice for you. Heck, you don’t even need to have a kid with you! Just go if you want to have a fun, easy time.
