sierra-barter.com – Released in 2020, The Croods: A New Age is the sequel to the 2013 animated hit The Croods. Directed by Joel Crawford and produced by DreamWorks Animation, this visually stunning and heartwarming movie continues the adventures of the prehistoric Crood family, building on themes of family, adaptation, survival, and growth while introducing new characters, conflicts, and settings. The film’s comedic energy, vibrant animation, and its poignant message about change and family dynamics make it a standout family film of its time.
The Croods’ journey into a world that is evolving beyond their limited experience drives the story, as they encounter a more advanced family, the Bettermans, who represent the next stage in human evolution. This clash between the primitive and the modern serves as the backdrop for the film’s exploration of relationships, progress, and the importance of embracing change.
Plot Overview: A Journey Into the New Age
The Croods: A New Age begins where the first film left off, following the adventures of the Crood family as they search for a safer place to live. The family—led by the overprotective patriarch Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage)—includes the fearless daughter Eep (voiced by Emma Stone), the cautious mother Ugga (voiced by Catherine Keener), and the rest of their quirky clan. They are joined by Guy (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), Eep’s resourceful and inventive love interest, who has been traveling with them since the events of the first film.
As the Croods continue their journey in search of a new home, they come across a lush and walled-off paradise that seems to be everything they could have dreamed of. However, this paradise is already occupied by another family—the Bettermans. The Bettermans, who consist of Phil (voiced by Peter Dinklage), Hope (voiced by Leslie Mann), and their daughter Dawn (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran), represent a more advanced form of humanity. They live in a treehouse, grow crops, have access to clean water, and enjoy the comforts of a more modern lifestyle.
At first, the Bettermans’ refined way of life seems to be everything the Croods didn’t know they were missing. However, it quickly becomes clear that the Bettermans view the Croods as uncivilized and backward, leading to tensions between the two families. Grug, who has always been focused on keeping his family together, begins to worry that the Bettermans’ influence will tear his family apart—especially as Guy starts to reconnect with Dawn, with whom he shares a history.
The film follows the two families as they clash over their differing ways of life, with humorous and heartwarming results. However, when a new threat emerges in the form of wild creatures known as “punch monkeys,” the families are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive. Along the way, they learn important lessons about family, love, and the value of embracing change, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Themes: Embracing Change and Growth
At its core, The Croods: A New Age is a story about change and growth. The Croods represent the primal, instinctual side of humanity—focused on survival and the basic necessities of life. In contrast, the Bettermans embody a more evolved and progressive mindset, valuing comfort, security, and intellectual development. The clash between these two ways of life serves as the central conflict of the film, but it also represents a larger theme about the importance of progress and adapting to new circumstances.
Grug’s journey as the family patriarch is central to this theme. Throughout the film, he struggles with the idea of change, fearing that if his family adopts the Bettermans’ more sophisticated way of life, they will lose their closeness and primal connection. However, as the film progresses, Grug comes to realize that change doesn’t have to mean losing what’s important. Instead, it can be a way to grow stronger and more connected as a family. This realization is key to his development as a character and underscores the film’s broader message that growth and adaptation are necessary for survival—not just physically, but emotionally and relationally as well.
Similarly, Guy’s character arc highlights the theme of finding one’s identity and place in the world. Throughout the film, Guy is torn between his past with the Bettermans and his present with the Croods. He begins to question where he truly belongs, and whether he should settle into the Bettermans’ comfortable way of life or continue his adventures with Eep and the Croods. His struggle reflects the universal experience of trying to reconcile the past with the future, and his ultimate decision to stay with Eep shows that true belonging comes from the people we choose to be with, rather than the circumstances in which we live.
The film also explores the idea of family in a broader sense. While the Croods and the Bettermans start off as two very different families, by the end of the film, they come to see each other as part of one extended family. This message of unity and cooperation is particularly poignant in today’s world, where divisions and differences often seem to be at the forefront of societal conversations. The Croods: A New Age reminds audiences that despite our differences, we are all capable of coming together and finding common ground.
Comedy and Family Dynamics
One of the strengths of The Croods: A New Age is its use of humor to explore family dynamics. The film is filled with comedic moments, from the Croods’ wild and unpredictable behavior to the Bettermans’ exaggerated sophistication. The clash between the two families provides ample opportunities for physical comedy, as the Croods struggle to adapt to the Bettermans’ more refined way of life.
Grug’s overprotectiveness, especially when it comes to Eep and her relationship with Guy, is a constant source of humor. His fear that the Bettermans’ influence will drive a wedge between him and his family leads to several hilarious situations, such as his attempt to eat all the food in the Bettermans’ garden in a misguided effort to keep his family from leaving their old ways behind.
At the same time, the film balances its humor with heartfelt moments that deepen the characters’ relationships. Eep’s bond with Dawn, for example, provides a touching subplot about friendship and the desire for adventure. Despite their differences, the two girls connect over their shared longing for freedom and excitement, and their friendship becomes a symbol of the possibility for harmony between the two families.
The Bettermans’ characters are also a source of both comedy and emotional depth. Phil and Hope, while initially portrayed as snobbish and condescending, are given moments of vulnerability that reveal their own insecurities. Their desire to protect their daughter Dawn from the dangers of the outside world mirrors Grug’s overprotectiveness of his family, highlighting the universal nature of parental concerns, regardless of background or lifestyle.
Visual Splendor and World-Building
DreamWorks Animation excels in creating visually stunning and immersive worlds, and The Croods: A New Age is no exception. The film’s animation is vibrant, colorful, and richly detailed, bringing the prehistoric world of the Croods to life in new and exciting ways. The lush environments, from the Croods’ untamed wilderness to the Bettermans’ cultivated paradise, are filled with imaginative creatures and landscapes that are both awe-inspiring and humorous.
The world-building in The Croods: A New Age expands upon the original film, introducing new creatures like the punch monkeys, who play a significant role in the film’s climax. These strange, slapstick creatures add an extra layer of comedy and adventure to the story, as the Croods and Bettermans are forced to work together to outsmart them.
The film’s use of color and design helps to emphasize the contrast between the Croods and the Bettermans. The Croods’ world is rugged and earthy, filled with natural tones and wild, untamed landscapes. In contrast, the Bettermans’ home is bright, orderly, and filled with lush greenery and modern comforts. This visual distinction underscores the thematic differences between the two families and adds to the overall richness of the film’s world.
Voice Cast and Performances
The voice cast of The Croods: A New Age delivers outstanding performances, bringing both humor and emotional depth to their characters. Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Grug is once again a standout, as he balances the character’s gruff exterior with moments of vulnerability and warmth. Emma Stone’s Eep continues to be a strong and adventurous character, while Ryan Reynolds’ Guy provides a charming and relatable foil to her boldness.
Peter Dinklage and Leslie Mann as Phil and Hope Betterman are perfectly cast, bringing a sense of superiority and refinement to their characters while also revealing their more human sides as the story progresses. Kelly Marie Tran’s Dawn is a delightful addition to the cast, offering a refreshing and energetic take on the sheltered but curious daughter of the Bettermans.
The chemistry between the cast members, particularly the dynamic between the Croods and the Bettermans, is key to the film’s success. The comedic timing and emotional resonance of the voice performances elevate the material, making the characters feel relatable and endearing despite the film’s prehistoric setting.
Conclusion: A Heartwarming and Entertaining Sequel
The Croods: A New Age is a worthy successor to the original film, building on its themes of family, survival, and adaptation while introducing new characters, conflicts, and lessons about embracing change. With its vibrant animation, strong voice performances, and heartfelt message, the film offers a fun and entertaining experience for audiences of all ages.
At its core, The Croods: A New Age is a celebration of family—both the one we are born into and the one we create along the way. Its exploration of the tension between tradition and progress is handled with humor and heart, reminding viewers that while change can be difficult, it is also an essential part of growth. Ultimately, the film’s message about the importance of working together, finding common ground, and embracing the new makes it a touching and timely story for audiences in any age.