The Croods
2013 · Directed by Chris Sanders, Kirk DeMicco
Original language: English
- animation
- adventure
- family
- comedy
The story
The prehistoric Croods family live in a particularly dangerous moment in time. Patriarch Grug, his mate Ugga, teenage daughter Eep, son Thunk, and feisty Gran gather food by day and huddle together in a cave at night. When a more evolved caveman named Guy arrives on the scene, Grug is distrustful, but it soon becomes apparent that Guy is correct about the impending destruction of their world.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated prehistoric landscapes in DreamWorks' rounded, painterly CGI: sun-warmed canyons in ochre, teal and tangerine, lush jungle greens, and glowing volcanic oranges that turn the sky hot at dusk. The camera swoops and tilts through fast, kinetic set pieces, with plenty of frantic chase energy, yet the cave interiors and quiet campfire scenes are warm and close. The score is bouncy, percussive and orchestral, leaning on tribal drums and playful strings, and the sound design is busy with animal calls and slapstick. Vibe: boisterous, goofy, warm-hearted. It suits a Saturday afternoon with kids, a lighthearted family movie night, or a background watch on a long-haul flight. Pacing is brisk, and the emotional throughline is a stern, overprotective father slowly learning to let his headstrong daughter lead, with a gentle sweetness under the gags. Peril is frequent, with cartoon-level scares, falling rocks and creature attacks, but it stays bloodless and light, with no real gore, and the danger is played for laughs more than dread. For families and anyone wanting cheerful, low-stakes adventure with a big heart.
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