July
15
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The Croods 2: A New Age (U)
The Croods 2: A New Age (U)
Director: Joel Crawford
Runtime: 95 minutes
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Kelly Marie Tran
Synopsis: 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.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUN5EEDwHcI
The Croods 2: A New Age is directed by Joel Crawford [who has worked on multiple DreamWorks Animation films, including: Trolls; the Kung Fu Panda franchise; Rise of the Guardians (2012) and Kung Fu Panda (2008)]
The Croods 2: 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 are 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.
This is another agreeable outing for the titular prehistoric clan, on an epic adventure that forces them to embrace their differences, draw strength from one another, and survive together. With top-notch animation there are plentiful critters – including punch monkeys and literal land sharks – to delight children.
While the film lacks the narrative originality of 2013’s The Croods it has lots of laughs, has slapstick, rude humour and is chaotic fun aimed squarely at children with just enough jokes about raising a family to keep parents interested.
This Prehistoric cartoon sequel makes up for any shortcomings with the vibrant, eye-popping animation, flooding the screen with a superabundance of imaginative flora and fauna.
While the original cartoon shed illuminated the miracle that humans ever survived the prehistoric elements, The Croods: A New Age is lighter on reality.
However there are clear themes of courage, teamwork, and the importance of being yourself plus some great “girl power” moments when Eep and the other female characters have to rescue the menfolk. Plus Eep and Dawn don’t take the bait and fight over a boy – instead, they become friends.
The Croods 2: A New Age is a visually impressive, fun summer, family film with a superb ensemble voice cast.
In cinemas
Images courtesy of :Universal Pictures
