The Croods: A New Age (2020)

Applebaum calls the sequel bigger, better, splashier and more inventive than its predecessor. He singles out Peter Dinklage’s deliciously smarmy performance for praise.

Richards finds the sequel funnier, prettier, and more memorable than the original, despite a predictable central story. He praises its vibrant animation and wackadoodle humour, especially the bizarre creature and character flourishes.

Walsh finds the sequel a fun, if overlong, burst of chaotic energy, with its lessons about unity laid on too thickly. She praises the bright animation and especially Nicolas Cage’s yearning voice performance.

Hassenger finds the sequel entertaining but utterly superfluous, with its cleverness fading as it goes along. He praises its surreal, colorful creature designs and the still-high hit rate of its gags.

Clarke finds the sequel an improvement on the original, though its hectic action can become exhausting. She praises the Betterman characters and their grownup-oriented gags as the funniest part.

The available page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It identifies no specific element of the film for praise or complaint.

Erbland finds the sequel charming and entertaining enough, though not worth the long wait. She praises its colorful menagerie of strange animals and warm messages, while criticizing its bland animation and familiar story.

Watson finds the sequel an improvement on the original, but says its relentless pace leaves the comedy and spectacle wanting. He praises the nuanced voice acting of Peter Dinklage and Leslie Mann, especially Dinklage’s droll performance.

Ebiri finds the sequel an adequate, time-passing family film, though its story feels boilerplate and its action less impressive than before. He praises the imaginative prehistoric creatures, especially the inventive beasts and punch-speaking monkeys.

Debruge finds the sequel loud, exhausting, and lacking a coherent story. He praises its elaborate, colorful animation and sight gags, but says the nonstop jokes overwhelm the film.

The critic finds the sequel over-plotted, exhausting, and seldom funny. They praise the voice cast and detailed CG environments, but say the movie is more assaultive than engaging.

The critic calls it a near-perfect dose of silly family escapism. They especially enjoy the rivalry and satire of families who think themselves superior.

The critic finds it a lighthearted, funny sequel that is more amusing than the original, though it lacks emotional depth. They praise the expressive animation and physical comedy, while noting the smaller scope and forgettable score.

The critic finds the sequel a charming, funny surprise, despite not reaching the heights of DreamWorks’ best sequels. They praise its carefully constructed comedy and especially its setup-and-payoff gags.

Kermode finds the film a fun, if overstuffed, comedy adventure that may wear out older viewers. She praises the quirky animation, dark humour and strong performances, while criticizing the scattered narrative and underdeveloped characters.

The critic finds the sequel uninspired and says it is not worth going to a theater to see. He praises its neon-hued visuals and Nicolas Cage’s gloriously unhinged voice performance.