The Croods

The Croods is one of those movies that just happens and changes how you feel about new animated features. At least, that’s what happened in my case. I wasn’t at all sold on it, I’ve seen a lot of these things and while they’re usually pretty solid, it’s not my favorite form of film. I remember titles such as Bolt and Cars 2 and now Planes that just didn’t do it for me. I see a lot of them now and I can’t say I’m often impressed. I was pleasantly surprised! I saw it in the theater and have not been able to shake it since.

There’s a lot of heart in this one, creativity and smarts as well. The way the story progresses along with these cavemen characters is very well done. It isn’t put together only to entertain a younger audience necessarily, there’s plenty of smiles and laughs to be had by an older audience. Where younger ones might like the quirky but cute animals that are actually incredibly inventive, a 20’s and beyond crowd will probably appreciate the characters a lot more.

They live in a very primal time with threats coming from every direction but somehow manage to keep their little family together and healthy thanks to a very protective Dad, Grug. Not to say that their lives are perfect though, they basically cave-dwell round the clock. Eep, Grug’s oldest daughter, tells her father that cave-dwelling isn’t living, it’s just not dying. That is really the tone for the film in it’s entirety. It’s all about getting out of your comfort-zone, experiencing life, learning not to fear everything that you don’t understand and that you have to trust others at times. Thanks to Guy, whom Eep can’t help but be intrigued by, they manage to stay in one piece during their journey much to Grug’s chagrin.

Beyond the exciting adventure that the family sets out on, the scenery is just breath-taking. The artists behind The Croods are awe-inspiring, it’s beautifully colorful and is definitely a world (though a dangerous one at times) I’d love to visit. The life that is happening in it is just as impressive. Make sure to take a look at the ‘Images’ tab to get an idea of just what I mean. It’s eye-candy to say the least.

As much as I like to chalk movies like these up to being childish and say that I don’t enjoy them, I can’t. As I mentioned before, there aren’t a lot that I’m crazy about but it’s nice to be made to feel like a kid again. Films like this one do make you feel young again, they make you happy to be alive and smile from ear to ear.

To wrap this up, there isn’t a lot to say outside of that you should give yourself the pleasure of seeing it and/or owning it. I wouldn’t review it if I didn’t feel that way. It’s a wonderfully uplifting, funny adventure through a world that you’ll too wish you could visit. Highly recommended!

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