The Croods: A New Age Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Croods: A New Age" on Blu-ray is exemplary, embodying both technical precision and visual vibrancy. The 1080p transfer is razor-sharp and abundantly colorful, capturing all but the finest textural details, which are slightly finer on the UHD release. The image quality is immaculate, with a fine sense of depth and abundant definition in both the foreground and background elements. Every detail, from facial textures to clothing and environments, is meticulously rendered, showcasing rich textural definition and pinpoint sharpness. The contrasting worlds of the pre-Betterman and post-Betterman scenes are particularly well-delineated, with no soft objects, poorly defined faces, or flat pieces of clothing.

The color palette of the film is another highlight, with "The Croods: A New Age" displaying an even more colorful and aggressive use of coloring compared to its predecessor. The uptick in vibrant hues is evident throughout, especially within the Bettermans' compound where colors burst forth with rainbow-like intensity. The vividness extends across leaves, animals, and various support elements, rendering an eye-popping visual experience. Character skin tones are accurately portrayed, blacks are deep and inky, and the image as a whole exhibits no signs of poor compression or source blemishes. While there are minor instances of mild banding, they do little to detract from the overall visual splendor. This Blu-ray release stands out as a prime example of digital animation brought to life, maintaining DreamWorks’ tradition of producing bright, vividly animated films.

"The Croods: A New Age" audio presentation, featuring a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, extends across Blu-ray and 4K UHD formats. This track is a well-crafted component, leaping adeptly between dialogue-heavy scenes and action-packed sequences. It provides an immersive yet balanced experience, rarely overindulgent in its delivery. Dialogues consistently remain clear and centered, ensuring easy comprehension. Surround usage is commendable, particularly notable during action-centric moments where scenes are elevated by a solid low-end thump and impressive sound imaging. Despite some reservations about the laid-back nature of the actual Atmos effects, the discreet overhead sounds – notably present when the family battles monsters – contribute to a more engaging experience during crucial scenes.

The soundtrack enthralls with its extensive soundstage, filled with well-timed effects that enhance the viewing experience. The audio clarity remains impeccable, even amidst the frequent barrage of sound effects that seamlessly saturate the environment. All speakers within the range remain actively engaged, offering a cohesive mix of high-pitched notes and deep, rumbling lows. One standout auditory moment occurs around the 50-minute mark with the exhilarating monkey stampede, where the overhead sounds truly shine, injecting a remarkable sense of movement and dimensionality to the immersive experience. The blend of organized chaos within this scene showcases the track’s ability to maintain balance and detail, further cementing its status as a robust and enjoyable audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Croods: A New Age" offer a diverse array of engaging and informative content, making it a valuable addition for fans. The offerings include insightful commentary tracks, entertaining short films, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Core elements such as the voice cast breakdown, technical explorations, and creative insights into the franchise's evolution are meticulously covered. Children and families can delight in kid-friendly activities and crafts, while aspiring animators can benefit from drawing tutorials. Furthermore, the inclusion of deleted scenes and humorous outtakes add depth and enjoyment to the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary: Commentary with Director Joel Crawford, Producer Mark Swift, Head of Story Januel Mercado, and Editor Jim Ryan.
• Dear Diary: World's First Pranks: An original short film featuring Eep and Dawn's pranks.
• Family Movie Night: Little Red Bronana Bread: A prehistoric family movie night adventure.
• Gag Reel: Humorous takes from the recording studio.
• To: Gerard: A heartwarming DreamWorks short film.
• Deleted Scenes: Various scenes with director introductions.
• The Croods' Family Album: Meet the actors behind the characters.
• The Evolution Of...: Making-of featurette covering franchise development.
• How to Draw: Caveman Style: Drawing tutorials for characters.
• Famileaf Album: Crafting a Croods-inspired family album.
• Stone Age Snack Attack: Recipes for Croods-inspired snacks.

Overall, the extras provide a well-rounded mix of education, entertainment, and engagement, catering to a broad audience.

"The Croods: A New Age" effectively extends the explorations of its predecessor with enjoyable, albeit somewhat familiar, themes. Set against the backdrop of family dynamics, the film follows Grug (Nicolas Cage) grappling with the imminent independence of his daughter Eep (Emma Stone) and her partner Guy (Ryan Reynolds). Their journey leads them to the Bettermans, an evolved family that introduces a new layer of social commentary and humor through their modern lifestyle, presenting a sharp contrast to the Croods’ primitive existence. These interactions are laced with humor and relatable familial strife, offering both adult viewers and children a delightful cinematic experience. Despite its recycled thematic core from the original film, the narrative succeeds in maintaining viewer engagement through its witty script and endearing character dynamics.

Further enriching the viewing experience is the top-tier animation. The visual artistry brings the prehistoric world to life with detailed textures and elaborate landscapes, showcasing the significant efforts of DreamWorks’ digital artists. The distinction between the Croods and the Bettermans is beautifully realized through nuanced design choices that accentuate their cultural differences. This visual finesse resonates throughout the movie, enhancing both its comical and dramatic moments. The voice cast delivers outstanding performances, with returning actors and newcomers alike bringing authenticity and vibrancy to their roles.

While "A New Age" occasionally relies too heavily on previously established tropes, it compensates through its visual splendor and entertaining sequences. The juxtaposition of action and humor keeps the momentum alive even in predictable segments. The film’s charm lies in its ability to blend heartfelt moments with lighthearted escapades, making it a worthy, if not groundbreaking, successor to the original film.

"The Croods: A New Age" continues Dreamworks' tradition of vibrant animation and endearing storytelling. Directed by Joel Crawford and starring a notable voice cast including Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, and Ryan Reynolds, the film offers a visually stunning experience. The 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio ensures a crisp and colorful display, while the Dolby Atmos audio track envelops viewers in an immersive soundscape. The Blu-ray’s video quality is pristine, showcasing the top-tier animation with rich detail and vivid colors. The audio performance, with options including English Dolby Atmos and Spanish DD+ 7.1, enhances the viewing experience dramatically with clear dialogue and powerful sound design.

The narrative might not reach the thematic heights of "Shrek" or "How to Train Your Dragon," but it successfully balances moments of humor and warmth. Older audiences may appreciate the film's exploration of familial evolution, while younger viewers will delight in its dynamic action sequences. The screenplay, penned by Kevin Hagerman, Dan Hagerman, Paul Fisher, and Bog Logan, provides ample charm and character development within its 96-minute runtime. Universal supplements the release with a variety of extras, primarily aimed at younger viewers but also including content that parents and older fans will find engaging.

In conclusion, "The Croods: A New Age" is an unassuming yet enjoyable sequel that provides ample entertainment for families. While it doesn't aim for the narrative depth of some of Dreamworks' other titles, it remains a solid follow-up to the original. The Blu-ray release exemplifies Dreamworks’ usual excellence with flawless video and robust audio quality. With a runtime of 96 minutes and a PG rating, it's an excellent choice for a family movie night. A solid rental option that promises to keep audiences of all ages entertained.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Kelly Marie Tran
Directed by: Joel Crawford
Written by: Kevin Hagerman, Dan Hagerman, Paul Fisher, Bog Logan
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), Spanish DD+ 7.1, French DD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Studio: Universal
Rated: PG
Runtime: 96 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: February 23rd, 2021