The Croods: A New Age 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Croods: A New Age" shines resplendently in 4K UHD, transitioning from a 2K DI with an upconversion that markedly enhances the intricacies of the animation, bringing to life every minutiae with unprecedented clarity. Viewers are treated to a visual feast where textures in characters' appearance and nuanced backgrounds are elevated, presenting a depth of field that adds a tangible dimension to the viewing experience. The 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation surpasses the 1080p version not just in sharpness but in the vibrancy of its color palette, making the digital animation leap off the screen. The added resolution keenly reveals every strand of hair, fiber of clothing, and subtle environmental textures, inviting audiences to immerse themselves fully into the lush world of the Croods.

The Dolby Vision color grading intensifies the visual delight, expanding the color gamut to produce images that burst with bold, oversaturated colors and dynamic range. The film's colorful landscape, from verdant grasslands to fiery lava flows, is rendered with such brilliance and saturation that it commands attention. Eep's fiery red hair and the richly hued flora and fauna pop against the backdrop of enhanced dark blacks and bright whites, showcasing the capabilities of the Dolby Vision enhancement. This not only brings out the best in the animated world's diverse palette but also adds layers of luminance and contrast that give every scene a photo-realistic quality.

Furthermore, the presentation's meticulous attention to detail, from the subtle textures in the natural environment to the vivid depiction of elemental forces like fire and sunlight, ensures that "The Croods: A New Age" is a visual spectacle that defines excellence in 4K animation. The application of Dolby Vision technology advances the visual storytelling, making every frame worthy of admiration. Despite being rendered from a 2K DI, the film's 4K UHD presentation leaves no room for criticism, offering an immersive experience that highlights the artistry and effort of digital animation.

The Dolby Atmos mix of "The Croods: A New Age" on the 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a listening experience that, while not fully exploiting the potential of its object-based capabilities, manages to deliver a satisfactory level of immersion. Observers noted that the mix has a somewhat conservative approach towards the utilization of overhead audio objects, employing them sparingly in scenes that could have significantly benefited from a more active and enveloping soundscape. Despite this, when these elements are utilized, they contribute positively to the overall atmospheric effects, enhancing the on-screen action with sound that moves with convincing spatial accuracy. However, the consensus points towards a missed opportunity for creating a more engaging and dynamically rich audio environment that fully immerses the viewer.

The audio presentation shines in its clarity and the robust engagement of the soundstage, where the Atmos track demonstrates its prowess. There is an appreciable effort in orchestrating sound effects and musical scores that move fluidly across the entire range of speakers, offering a seamless and harmonious experience. From crisp highs to deep lows, the track excels in delivering a balanced and detailed performance. Notably, during high-action scenes, such as the notable monkey stampede, the use of discrete overhead channels adds a layer of excitement and depth, showcasing the potential for a truly immersive experience. Dialogue remains crisp and well-placed within the center channel, ensuring clarity amidst the bustling soundscape.

However, some critiques emerge regarding the use of LFE (low-frequency effects), where despite the action-packed sequences and opportunities for robust bass output, the track seems to underperform. The low-end frequencies often lack the expected impact and depth, falling short in moments that should deliver a palpable punch. This aspect of the mix somewhat diminishes the overall auditory experience, particularly during climactic sequences where the presence of deeper bass would significantly enhance the sense of immersion. Consequently, while "The Croods: A New Age" presents an Atmos soundtrack that is capable and often delightful in its spatial orchestration, there remains room for improvement in fully leveraging the lower frequencies and overhead channels to create a more consistently captivating audio experience.

The Croods: A New Age" 4K UHD Blu-ray extras package provides a comprehensive and engaging array of content that beautifully extends the enjoyment of the film. The collection boasts a variety of featurettes, including two original short films that are both entertaining and visually stunning, thanks to their high-quality 2160p Dolby Vision presentation. "Dear Diary: World's First Pranks" and "Family Movie Night: Little Red Bronana Bread" offer creative additional storytelling that complements the main narrative. The technical offerings like the Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, and feature commentary provide insights into the making of the film, showing off the talent behind the scenes with a particular highlight being the detailed drawing tutorials in "How to Draw: Caveman Style". Moreover, "Stone Age Snack Attack" and the "Famileaf Album" bring interactive elements to families looking to engage further with the Croods world, making it a well-rounded experience for fans of all ages.

Extras included in this disc:

• DEAR DIARY: WORLD’S FIRST PRANKS: Eep and Dawn discover the joys of tricking their families in this humorous short.
• FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: LITTLE RED BRONANA BREAD: Join the Croods for a prehistoric movie night in another exclusive original short.
• GAG REEL: A compilation of funny takes from the recording studio.
• TO: GERARD: An original animated short about magic and memories.
• DELETED SCENES: A collection of scenes cut from the final film, with intros by Director Joel Crawford.
• THE CROODS’ FAMILY ALBUM: A closer look at the voice cast behind the beloved characters.
• THE EVOLUTION OF…: Insights into the making of THE CROODS: A NEW AGE.
• HOW TO DRAW: CAVEMAN STYLE: Drawing tutorials for favorite characters.
• FAMILEAF ALBUM: A crafty featurette on making a prehistoric family album.
• STONE AGE SNACK ATTACK: Fun and easy recipes inspired by the movie.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY: Insights from Director Joel Crawford, Producer Mark Swift, and more.

The Croods: A New Age" galavants onto the 4K UHD Blu-ray scene, brandishing its prehistoric flair and humor with a visual splendor that elevates the animated sequel experience. In this follow-up, the Croods encounter the Bettermans, a family that epitomizes advanced living in the Stone Age. This encounter not only propels the narrative into a humorous exploration of family dynamics and societal evolution but also showcases a vibrant clash of cultures amid stunning animation. The film’s texture-rich environments and character animations are meticulously crafted, bridging the gap between prehistoric roughness and a semblance of modern sophistication. Voice performances, both from returning talents and newcomers, bolster the narrative with emotional depth and comedic timing, ensuring that the sequel resonates with audiences of all ages.

Plot-wise, "The Croods: A New Age" succeeds in weaving together themes of unity and acceptance, albeit through a lens that may feel familiar to fans of animated family adventures. The story arcs of overprotective parenting, rivalry turning into alliance, and the journey of characters coming to appreciate each others’ differences are conveyed with a blend of heartwarming moments and kinetic energy. Despite treading on narrative ground well-worn by its predecessors in the genre, the movie distinguishes itself with creative visual gags and a dynamic pace that keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end. The film deftly handles its core messages without losing sight of the humor and charm that made the franchise beloved.

However, amidst its accomplishments, "The Croods: A New Age" doesn’t shy away from playing it safe, aligning closely with established norms of the genre without venturing into uncharted territories. While its world is rendered with impressive detail and animation prowess, the storyline adheres to a formulaic path that may leave audiences yearning for more innovation in storytelling. Nonetheless, what the film lacks in narrative boldness, it compensates for with sheer visual delight and spirited performances. As a sequel, it extends the legacy of its characters in a polished spectacle that, despite occasional predictability, provides a thoroughly entertaining escapade for families to enjoy together.

The Croods: A New Age" returns to the screen with a blend of old charm and fresh faces, tailoring a family adventure that, while seemingly formulaic, manages to split its appeal between younger audiences and adults, albeit with varied levels of engagement. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment showcases an excellent Ultra HD quality that radiates through its 2160p/Dolby Vision video. The audio experience is equally impressive, boasting gratifying lossless surround sound complemented by a Dolby Atmos mix that adds depth to the movie's diverse soundscape. Moreover, the package is rounded off with an assortment of extras, catering to both children and adults, making it a worthwhile exploration for fans.

The film itself navigates a familiar narrative trajectory, yet it does so with a lively pace and an action-packed second half designed to captivate its younger audience. Meanwhile, adults might find the thematic exploration of family dynamics and the evolution towards a new way of living more appealing in the first half. Despite not striving for novelty, "A New Age" achieves a solid sequel status by meaningfully advancing the storyline and expanding its universe, which is likely to resonate well with followers of the original film. The technical aspects of the UHD release—especially its near-perfect video and audio presentation—enhance the viewing experience, making it a recommendable addition to one’s collection.

In conclusion, "The Croods: A New Age" stands out not only for its storytelling but also for its high-caliber Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation. While the narrative might tread familiar paths, the technical delivery and the balance of content aimed at different age groups solidify its place as a commendable sequel. The Universal UHD offering does justice to this continuation, making it an essential pick for enthusiasts of the franchise and a shining example of how sequels can maintain the essence of their predecessors while embracing new horizons.