The production looks amazing as the colour palette almost sears the eyes. It’s filled with such oversaturated hues, you almost need sunglasses. The story at its most basic level is about outsiders fitting in but this uncomplicated idea is infused with so many elements and gags, visual and otherwise that it’s far from simplistic. If anything it might throw a few too many ideas in the mix.

Recasting the modern family dynamic into caveman times gives the actor a familiar weight to energise the words. And both Peter Dinklage as Phil Betterman (an artisan hipster way before his time) and Emma Stone as super gal Eep are perfectly cast. However having Ryan Reynolds as the main guy, Guy, creates quite a few moments where you are left hanging for a bit of that Deadpool/RR irreverence.

Films like this need to be seen in retina roasting rooms for maximum impact as they are more of a visual treat than a mental exercise. With the escalating costs of films both blockbuster and computer-generated and a smaller window of financial opportunity, it might be a few years for the equilibrium to return. Until then enjoy these works from a time we hope to experience again.

Rob Hudson
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WARNING: Please keep a safe distance from the Chicken Seal.

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to watching their daughter get heart eyes over a new boyfriend. But now they face something that will shake their pack to its core and make them reconsider everything they hold true: another family.

The Croods need a new place to live. So, the first prehistoric family sets off into the world in search of a safer place to call home. When they discover an idyllic walled-in paradise that meets all their needs, they think their problems are solved … except for one thing. Another family already lives there: the Bettermans.

The Bettermans (emphasis on the “better”)—with their elaborate tree house, amazing inventions and irrigated acres of fresh produce—are a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. When they take the Croods in as the world’s first houseguests, it isn’t long before tensions reach a breaking point.

Just when all seems lost, a new threat will propel both families on an epic adventure outside the safety of the wall, one that will force them to embrace their differences, draw strength from each other and forge a future together.

The Croods: A New Age features the voice talent of returning stars Nicolas Cage as Grug Crood, Catherine Keener as Ugga Crood, Emma Stone as their daughter, Eep; Ryan Reynolds as Eep’s boyfriend, Guy; Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine) as Thunk and Cloris Leachman as Gran. They’re joined by new stars Peter Dinklage (HBO’s Game of Thrones) as Phil Betterman, Leslie Mann (Blockers) as Hope Betterman, and Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi) as their daughter, Dawn.

The Croods: A New Age will be released in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day 2020!

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