Select Page

Film Review – The Croods

Director: Kirk De Micco, Chris Sanders
Screenplay: Kirk De Micco, Chris Sanders
Cast: Voices of Nicholas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Clark Duke, Cloris Leachman
Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Rating: ****
Venue: Ster Kinekor Maerua Mall Cine 4

DreamWorks’ latest animation movie takes us on a heart warming adventure in ‘The Croods’. First one thinks, the what? The Croods are a quirky family of three children, a passive mother, a strict father who thinks that everything that is new is bad, and an overbearing senile grandmother that simply wont die. They live in a cave day in day out at the instruction and fear of their father and what is outside their cave. They have lived in the cave for so long that they have forgotten the difference between day and night. One night the most curious and wild at heart, Eep voiced by Emma Stone, sees a light and decides to follow it. Her curiosity leads her to a discovery of what fire is and another person who could be the love of her life.
After their cave is destroyed, caveman father, Grug (Nicholas Cage) and his family must trek through unfamiliar grounds to safety as the world as they know it, comes to an end. With the help of an inventive boy called Guy (Ryan Reynolds) and his sidekick, Belt (a monkey that keeps his pants up) they embark on a journey to ride the sun to a place called ‘Tomorrow’. There is nothing that the family can’t do, well except for making fire. Their hunting skills are hilarious, more than they are useful. What makes them unique is that they do things together as a unit. With ‘The Croods’ it is not daddy who brings home the bacon,  it is everyone that brings home the bacon. I found myself enthralled with this film from the word go. The storyline and the graphics fit together like a hand and a glove.
It is an enjoyable film for the whole family and everyone can relate with the characters who really take one on a crazy adventure. The loony and yet senile grandmother (voiced by Cloris Leachman) is the star of the show. Her lines are hilarious, she uses every opportunity to make a mockery of the family especially her son in law who she says does not have a brain. If he did, according to Grandma, he would have come up with ideas and she would have had a heart attack and died.
Emma Stone is great as Eep. I doubt anyone else could have voiced this character the way that she did. Other lovable characters for me are Belt and Thunk (Clark Duke). Belt doesn’t say much in the movie except for the comical “Dun Dun Daaaa” I couldn’t help but love his bright round eyes. Clark Duke’s role is not very different from his usual roles. He manages to voice Thunk with as much ease as the other dim-wit characters he plays in other films.
It is a film that is not just funny but also focuses on family dynamics and relationships, teaching a thing or two on the importance of believing in others and knowing what it truly is to be alive.
I can say that when DreamWorks made this film, their idea was to take viewers on an exceptional journey to a world unimaginable. I think it is safe to say that they succeeded in doing just that. The Croods just has the right amount of comedy to catch and keep one’s interest throughout the movie. It is a story about love, family, restoration of hope in others and togetherness, a mixture that makes ‘The Croods’ one of DreamWorks best lighthearted animations. Go and watch ‘The Croods’, take your family along with you, it doesn’t matter how old you are I can guarantee that all members of your family will find something to love about the film,whether it is the half brained son, the loony grandma or the unusual but funny baby I recommend that this is a must watch.

About The Author