PG, 98 minutes
Commentary by Christopher Lloyd
“The Croods” was pretty typical of this year’s crop of animated family films. Pleasant enough, great-looking and featuring a catchy song or two, it nonetheless didn’t offer anything that was especially engaging or clever. Designed to entertain wee ones with lots of bouncy slapstick action and cute critters, it accomplished exactly that, and little more. It’s not a bad movie; not a great one, either; just good enough to satisfy as throwaway entertainment.
Set in prehistoric times, the titular family is a gaggle of cave-people who live in utter fear every second they spend outside their darkened cave. Dad Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage) has a motto: “Never not be afraid,” and it’s one they live by.
Until, that is, rebellious daughter Eep (Emma Stone) pushes them to explore the wider world out there. They encounter danger and some fantastic creatures – the walking land whales were my favorite – but also have amazing adventures. They hook up with a somewhat more evolved man named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who shows them neat things like fire and shoes.
Visually “The Croods” is a marvel, with even stuff in the corners of the frame worth looking at. I just wish they could have given the same level of attention to the storytelling.
Movie: B-
