If you were stranded on a desert island and you were given the choice to watch either Pixar or Dreamworks animation, which one would you choose? For me, after pointing out how asinine a question that is since I am stranded on a desert island, I would pick Dreamworks in a second. The latest from Disney’s rival stars Nicholas Cage and Emma Stone as cave people in The Croods. The family Crood is forced to travel across the dangerous wilderness after their cave is destroyed. Along the way they begin to trust each other and learn that all risks aren’t bad things. You know, typical teach us a lesson stuff.
The voice cast proves to be a good one with the rest of the family being played by Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke and Catherine Keener. Ryan Reynolds plays a new guy who gives the group that push to go outside of their comfort zone. To be honest, most of the plot goes along this way with the film’s message being overly obvious throughout. But funny takes on caveman culture, like the family seeing fire for the first time, breathe life into the film. Kids will like it, even if it doesn’t have the adult appeal of other titles like Shrek
The Croods is a fine movie, don’t get me wrong. It’s visually impressive with the type of animation Dreamworks has built an empire on. But with the success the studio has had, the films are held to a high standard. So the fact that the story is full of obvious life lessons makes it sound like it belongs in a picture book a kindergarten teacher would read. The Croods have literally been living under a rock and missing out on the world. I, for one, would love to explore nature with Nicholas Cage, Emma Stone and Cloris Leachman though. Best vacation ever!
Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.
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