“The Croods: A New Age” Movie Review
The lovable prehistoric family, The Croods, has returned for a second stone-age adventure! “The Croods: A New Age” is a fun movie the whole family can enjoy! It hit theatres this Thanksgiving and it will have audiences smiling, laughing, and hugging their loved ones.
**This is your spoiler alert**
The Croods
Nicholas Cage plays Grud Crood, the father and leader of the Crood family. He is very protective and knows what is best for his pack. When he thinks that Guy and Eep might go off on their own, he does his best to show them that the pack is better together. Grud may not be perfect, but he really cares for his family.
Catherine Keener voices Ugga Crood, Grud’s wife and the mother of Eep, Thunk, and Sandy. She is a strong and protective mother who will do anything for her family. Ugga serves as the level-headed parent, but she isn’t afraid to relax and have fun!
Emma Stone plays Eep Crood, the fiery teenage daughter of Grud and Ugga. Eep is a strong warrior and has the battle scars to prove it, and she is always up for an adventure. But she also has a soft side too, she loves her family and her boyfriend, Guy. Eep is sure of herself and not afraid to show it!
Ryan Reynolds plays Guy, Eep’s boyfriend. He is driven by his search for “Tomorrow” a wondrous place that his mother told him to find when he was little. Guy loves Eep, but sometimes the pack mentality of the Croods lifestyle is a bit crowded for him. He would love to start a family with Eep all on their own.
Clark Duke plays Thunk Crood, Eep’s lovable, but less energetic brother. Being a typical teenage boy, Thunk serves as comic relief in many tense moments, he loves his pet, and he becomes a little obsessed with watching the amazing prehistoric version of television called a “window.”
Cloris Leachman voices Gran, who is Ugga’s mother. Don’t let her age fool you, Gran is still a tough warrior at heart, and with the help of her stories about the Thunder Sister, she inspires her family to be brave and strong! With her hair named Wigasus, Gran is unstoppable!
The Bettermans
Peter Dinklage plays Phil Betterman, Hope’s husband and Dawn’s mother. Phil is the genius behind the Betterman’s beautiful home. Sometimes he is very stubborn and does not want to admit he’s wrong, but in the end he is strong enough to fix his mistakes.
Leslie Mann voices Hope betterman, Phil’s wife and Dawn’s mother. Hope loves her family, and wants them to stay safe inside the wall. Hope really puts an emphasis on “better.” When the Croods arrive as house guests, Hope is a little put-off by their primitive ways, but eventually she learns to accept people for who they are.
And finally, Kelly Marie Tran plays Dawn betterman, Phil and Hope’s daughter. Dawn spends her whole life behind the wall that her parents built, but wants to explore nature and think for herself. She loves her family, but she is not afraid to stand up for what she feels is right.
“The Croods: A New Age” Premise
Grud, Ugga, Eep, Thunk, Sandy, and Gran Crood are a caveman family in search of a new home. When they find a beautiful walled-in treehouse with plenty of food, they think they have found the perfect place to live. The only problem is that the family already lives there.
Phil, Hope, and Dawn Betterman (emphasis on better) are an evolved family who built this utopia to call their home, complete with the latest technology including a window, a shower, instant fire, and even a literal man-cave!
The Betterman’s take the Croods in as houseguests, but eventually, their cave vs. modern lifestyles create tension. When both families are threatened by Punch Monkeys, they must work together to save themselves or else risk losing everything!
Highlights & Review
This movie is beautiful from start to finish. The Betterman’s home in particular is so lush and bright that viewers will want to visit for themselves. The Betterman’s garden is full of delicious fruits and stunningly vibrant colors, reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The prehistoric plants and animals are enchanting for kids and adults alike.
Each voice actor also does an amazing job! Nicholas Cage makes a perfect father trying to keep his family together, and Cloris Leachman is the most lovable, spunky grandmother. The standout performance from Emma Stone completely captures the energy, squeals, emotions and enthusiasm of a teenage girl.
Also, there are plenty of traditional family tropes that the film puts a caveman-spin on, for example Thunk Crood becomes obsessed with “watching the window” much like so many teens watch television. Similarly, the dynamic between Grud and Eep is commonly seen today as well. Grud Crood wants his daughter to be happy, but becomes upset when she wants to start her own family with Guy.
These characters are very relatable and there is a lot of emotional growth. Eep Crood deals with heartbreak, Dawn Betterman stands up to her parents and thinks for herself, and both families set aside their differences to create a better future. As a viewer, it is very heartwarming to watch these characters evolve (literally) and you can’t help but be proud of them.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved “The Croods: A New Age.” This movie is a delightful story about love, family relationships, and personal growth. The overall message of togetherness and growth is something that both families and kids will appreciate. From the exotic creatures and the stunning visuals to the hilarious jokes and character development, “The Croods: A New Age” is a very enjoyable film for all ages!
For more movie scoop, check out “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” – Movie Review and Disney + “SOUL” Movie Review.
