Storytellers really enjoy imagining the world that was before them, the world of humanity’s beginnings. It seems to be a setting that is fertile to tell stories that deal with the everyday things that we go through, but in a more alien environment than we’re used to. From things like the comic strip B.C. to the classic and always popular The Flintstones to the 90’s sitcom Dinosaurs, prehistoric times continue to entertain us as we fly further into the future. To add to this lineage is DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods, a story that features many we can relate to: a teenager not relating to their parents; parents that just want to protect them from world. And much like the earlier examples The Croods is successful with its attempt.
The Croods is a story about Eep, a teenage cave girl and her family. Eep is the curious and adventurous eldest child of the family. They are the last surviving family around because of her father, Grug. Grug has very strict rules for his family and they are all based around fear and surviving the harsh and dangerous prehistoric world they live in. One of Grug’s main rules is for everyone to stay in their cave where it is safe. One night Eep decides to venture out when everyone is asleep. She follows a light that leads her to a young man by the name of Guy. Guy is a nomadic boy that is traveling around trying to escape what he says is the “end of the world”. After Guy leaves, Eep is found by her father, and on the way back to their cave an earthquake destroys everything. The family now has to venture out into a world they have never experienced while they attempt to find a new home.
It's pretty surprising just how good The Croods actually is, at least until you see who’s involved in creating it. Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) is the co-director and co-screenwriter and he’s been pretty successful with the animated films he has helmed. A lot of care has been taken in crafting a pretty great world and story. For a prehistoric version of earth, it really looks like nothing seen on film before. There is a serious display of imagination here from the character design of the cast, creature design of all the animals running around, and the design of the world. It all helps to draw you into the story because you can see how much thought was put into it.
Another high point in this film is the lighting and texturing. There’s a care and subtlety to the characters’ look, such as adding freckles and small scars to add individuality. There was a lot of unnecessary talk about the hair in Brave last year, but The Croods has different types that move and change as they interact with the world. The moody lighting of each scene is incredible, some of the best seen in a CG film.
Now this film is in 3D, but it doesn’t really add much other than some spraying of dust and a little bit of depth. So it might be best to forgo it and see it in regular 2D and save a few dollars. Other than that, this film is good to see with your family or even by yourself. The Croods is a nicely paced animated adventure that balances comedy and a story with heart.
