The Croods is a 2013 animated adventure-comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation. Directed by Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders, the movie is set in prehistoric times and follows a family of cavemen as they embark on a journey to find a new home after their cave is destroyed.
Plot:
The story centers around the Crood family, led by the overprotective father Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), who strives to keep his family safe by adhering to the rule of staying in their cave, away from danger. Grug's daughter, Eep (voiced by Emma Stone), is a curious and adventurous teenager who longs for something more than the restrictive life her father has imposed on the family.
Their world is turned upside down when they meet Guy (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), a resourceful, innovative young man who introduces new ideas and concepts to the Croods. Guy is on a journey to find a safer place to live, and he convinces the Croods to join him as they traverse a dangerous, ever-changing landscape full of perilous creatures and natural disasters. Throughout the journey, the family has to adapt to new ideas, confront their fears, and learn to embrace change in order to survive.
Characters:
- Grug (Nicolas Cage) – The cautious and strong-willed father of the family.
- Eep (Emma Stone) – The adventurous daughter who questions her father's rules.
- Guy (Ryan Reynolds) – A resourceful and clever young man who challenges the Croods' way of life.
- Ugga (Catherine Keener) – Grug's wife and the more nurturing, calm presence in the family.
- Gran (Cloris Leachman) – Grug's eccentric, old mother-in-law.
- Thunk (Clark Duke) – Eep's not-so-bright but good-hearted younger brother.
- Sandy (Randy Thom) – The Croods' wild, ferocious baby.
Themes:
The Croods touches on themes like the conflict between tradition and change, the importance of family, and embracing new ideas. The film emphasizes how personal growth often involves stepping outside one's comfort zone and facing the unknown. It also explores the idea of evolution, both in terms of the Croods’ way of thinking and their survival.
Reception:
The Croods was a commercial success, grossing over $587 million worldwide. It received positive reviews for its animation, humor, and heartwarming family dynamic, though some critics noted that it followed familiar tropes from other animated films. The film was praised for its vibrant, imaginative visuals and its voice cast's performances.
Sequels:
The success of The Croods led to the release of a sequel, The Croods: A New Age in 2020, which continues the family's journey as they encounter a more advanced family, the "Bettermans," who present a different way of living and challenges to the Croods' survival.