The Croods – A True Family Flick

I was given the opportunity to see DreamWorks Animation’s new movie The Croods with my family at an advance screening.

Our whole family enjoyed the movie.  Both men, women and kids of all ages can appreciate this funny, inspiring and adventurous film.  There were plenty of slap-stick comedy parts that kept my little ones laughing while deep sentimental messages were portrayed for parents and teens.

Although the presence of the movie is set around the ‘First Family‘ from the cavemen days it by no means is attempting to be based on a true story.  I loved how they tied in fictional scenes with the curiosity we have nowadays of how humans survived in a world before technology, electricity or even running water.  When the Croods go out to hunt for food they work as a unit – a team – to secure the goal of capturing their meal.  They race across the land at high speeds, throw one of the family members into the air to catch the egg and ride on the backs wild animals.  The various scenes may not have seemed realistic but when you think back to cavemen days you view humans as beyond tough with strength to survive just about anything, something most humans nowadays wouldn’t begin to be able to do.  The action twisted with comedy and 3D visual effects kept my kids entertained every minute.

The teen daughter, Eep – voice of Emma Stone, wants to explore while her father believes it’s his job to keep her safe.  Grug, the father – voice of Nicolas Cage, preaches to his family that trying new things is not safe and will ultimately end up with you being killed.  He reminds them daily to stay afraid and keeps them all sheltered inside the cave.  They are only allowed to go out as a family to hunt together.  Fathers still to this day want to shelter their daughters and feel it’s their duty to protect their family from the unknown and potential dangers in the world.

Eep stays frustrated with her sheltered life until one night she sees light peek through the cave opening and decides to sneak out.  A teen acting rebellious and sneaking out?  A father’s ultimate nightmare.  Of course while she is out exploring at night she meets a boy.  Guy – voice of Ryan Reynolds, is unlike the Croods.  He is a nomad of sorts.  The directors described him as the first real man.  If he was to have a home with his family you could picture it as a mud hut instead of a cave.  Guy instantly has peeked Eeps interest, being unique.  He introduces Eep to what fire is, shoes and even has a sloth as his belt.

Grug is instantly angry and immediately doesn’t like Guy.  Probably for the mere fact that Eep left without permission and does like him.  Grug feels threaten by Guy when his family starts to laugh at his jokes and agree with his ideas.  The whole family sets off on a journey that starts with taking Guy against his will and ends up with Guy leading the group.

The movie is inspirational to over-protective fathers with the message that you must eventually let go and trust your daughter.  The movie shows how the family can’t survive without one another yet they also need Guy who is willing to come up with new ideas.  This film is the first I have seen in a long time where it truly displays real family values of working together, depending on one another and even being willing to sacrifice yourself for your children.  It’s also a great lesson of how learning and growing is imperative in this world and although you might feel comfort in the safety hidden behind the walls of your cave, it doesn’t mean you can always survive there.

I highly recommend this family film in 3D and take some tissues – there were some tear-jerking moments.  My teen cried a little and I was misty eyed but the little ones only ever laughed.  A touching story…

Read what T thought on her teen review of The Croods.