Movie Review: The Croods 3D (+trailer)

Ever wondered about life in caveman times?

Even if you haven't, your children may be enlightened by this animated family's primitive journey through times of dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.

Though lifestyles have moved along since those basic times, the overarching theme of a father wanting to protect his family at all costs is still relevant today in our sophisticated world.

Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage) is a simple guy - his mantra is the cave is your friend and always stick to the rules.

He allows his family out briefly during the day to catch some food, but the rules say it is then straight back to the cave and the safety it offers.

The rest of the family finds comfort in this basic life, except daughter Eep (Emma Stone), who knows there's a world out there that she wants to explore.

Eep gets her wish for adventure when their cave is destroyed and the family must seek out a new home.

The arrival of a mysterious boy - Guy (Ryan Reynolds) - scares Grug and excites Eep.

Guy lives by his wits and survives on his ingenuity. He shows the family it is possible to survive and thrive in their inhospitable world.

With a volcano threatening to cause destruction across the land, the family and Guy must make it to safety on a distant mountain.

But the only way Grug knows to protect his family is with brute strength and a huge dose of fear.

Guy shows it is possible to use your brains to succeed, a notion foreign to the big caveman.

Between the two of them, they must get over their mutual fear of each other and find a path to safety for everyone.

The Croods is great fare for the young ones with action, fun and a good storyline to keep the film ticking along.

 The Croods 3D

(G) 110 minutes

Rating: 3.5 / 5