7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.4 |
After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Cloris LeachmanFamily | 100% |
Animation | 84% |
Adventure | 80% |
Fantasy | 62% |
Comedy | 57% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Russian: DTS 5.1
Estonian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Latvian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Lithuanian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Ukrainian: Dolby Digital 5.1
All Dolby Digital Tracks are 448 kbps
English SDH, Estonian, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It's human nature to fear the unknown, and that's not something that has changed with time. Even in today's ultra fast-paced, always-on, ever-connected, and constantly-evolving world, there's still that uneasiness in the stomach, that hesitation brought on by doubt, that terror of leaving a comfort zone when it comes time to try new things, whether it's riding a bike without training wheels, heading in for the first day on the job, or sitting down to a meal at that exotic restaurant. But there's a difference between nervous excitement and plain old nervousness. A bad day at the office usually won't end in death. A bad day one the rocky, barren landscape of the caveman's world? That's a different story altogether, and sometimes, erring on the side of caution could be the difference between curling up on that favorite rock at the end of the day or winding up splattered on top of it. In The Croods, a family of prehistoric human beings, all of whom lack much living skill beyond talking and moving, is forced to shake up its routine when prophesies of doom and the sight of newfangled things, like fire, interrupts their safety net way of life, which really isn't a "way of life" at all. These are people who live on instinct and fear everything else, even those things they can see with their eyes, touch with their hands, or hear with their ears. It's a film about not just trying new things, but understanding the world and adapting to it, realizing that everything isn't black-and-white, that nothing lasts forever, that safety is sometimes more dangerous than taking a risk. It's a fun and well-constructed, if not slightly trite, movie experience sure to bring a smile to the faces of viewers of all ages.
They're Crood. They're crass. They're family.
The Croods looks good in 3D, though it's not the sort of eye-popping, unforgettable 3D experience fans might want. On the plus side, there's nearly no difference in brightness or definition between this version and the standalone 2D image (also included in this set). Colors are just as bold, details are just as fine. The image never appears any darker in 3D, which is a plus, particularly in the film's naturally darker scenes. Details still look incredible, right down to the finest terrain textures, whether gritty earthen elements or lush natural vegetation. The 3D effects satisfy, though there's nothing here that really demands the film be seen in 3D. General depth impresses. The transfer shows off the sprawling landscapes nicely, again both the rocky lands to start and the more colorful vegetation areas later. Shots down on the ground are particularly impressive in terms of realistic spacing and depth. A few odds and ends do stand out; animal beaks and noses sometimes seem to extended beyond the front of the screen, while dust particles and other floating objects on the air seems to drift far back into and well out of the screen. Very little of the dreaded "crosstalk" effect was visible throughout the film. Overall, this is a fair 3D transfer, nothing remarkable or special but certainly not in any way awful.
The Croods features a big, well balanced, and sometimes exhilarating DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Every piece comes through robustly and with faultless definition, from subtle prehistoric ambience to the most aggressive action elements. The film's first big audio extravaganza comes in the early "college football" segment where marching band-inspired music rips through the stage with incredible definition and faultless accuracy. It's aggressive but never overly so, finding a good, realistic tone that captures the spirt of the music but also the basic instrumental variance with ease. The percussion section in particular impresses with potent lows and aggressive footing. The track features some other exciting sounds. The low, heavy blow of a horn carries through the stage with striking naturalism and presence. The Pop song to finish the movie enjoys wide space and unmissable energy and clarity. Supportive sound effects, from falling rain to collapsing rock formations, enjoy the sort of accuracy and heft listeners expect from the best tracks. Rounded into form my seamless, center-focused dialogue, this is a reference grade audio track from beginning to end.
The Croods contains all of its supplements on the 2D disc. No 3D-specific extras are included.
The Croods offers a hugely satisfying animated movie experience, particularly beyond the fairly stale and predictable superficial dynamics. Under the surface is warm, welcoming story, a fun, honest, heartelft tale of discovery, of satisfaction, of accepting new things, of understanding the greater world. It's a very sweet and touching experience amidst all of the humor, most of which hits and none of which falls completely flat. To be sure, there's not much room to reinvent the wheel -- the wheel, in this case, being the modern Pixar/DreamWorks/Sony Animation-style Family animated film -- but there's something to be said for sprucing it up and getting the most out of its capabilities, which The Croods does very well. Fox/DreamWorks' Blu-ray 3D release of The Croods delivers awesome 2D picture attributes, a fair 3D transfer, and amazing sound. A nice array of extras are included. Recommended, and the movie is sure to leave audiences of all ages extremely satisfied.
2013
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with Penguins of Madagascar Movie Money
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