--- title: "The Croods: A New Age: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Croods: A New Age (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 16 reviews: 7 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with several critics finding The Croods: A New Age funnier and more inventive than its predecessor. Praise clusters around the strange prehistoric creatures, colourful animation and physical comedy, with the family rivalry supplying some welcome adult-minded humour. The voice cast also earns consistent credit: Peter Dinklage’s dry delivery and Nicolas Cage’s more unrestrained performance are particular pleasures for several reviewers. Even some sceptics find enough good gags to keep it entertaining. The reservations concern familiar plotting, thin character development and a pace that can turn lively comedy into an endurance test. There is a wide spread beneath that modestly positive consensus. HeyUGuys warmly embraces the silly family escapism, while Variety finds the nonstop jokes overwhelming and the story incoherent. The Hollywood Reporter is similarly resistant, judging the film exhausting and seldom funny despite the strength of its cast and detailed environments. ## Radio Times — Stephen Applebaum Rating 4/5. Applebaum calls the sequel bigger, better, splashier and more inventive than its predecessor. He singles out Peter Dinklage’s deliciously smarmy performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-d6sbfi/the-croods-2-a-new-age/) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-croods-2-a-new-age/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-11-23/review-the-croods-a-new-age) ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating B-. 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/an-unnecessary-sequel-to-the-croods-still-has-some-preh-1845721727) ## The Guardian — Cath Clarke Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/15/the-croods-a-new-age-review) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2020. The available page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. It identifies no specific element of the film for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-review/5155124.article) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating C+. 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-croods-a-new-age-review-dreamworks-sequel-1234599718/) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Watson Rating 2.5/4. 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-croods-a-new-age-review/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-the-croods-2-a-new-age-with-ryan-reynolds.html) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-review-1234838139/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-croods-a-new-age-film-review-4096029/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 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. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-croods-2-a-new-age-review/) ## Paste — Joseph Stanichar Rating 6.7. 27 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-croods/the-croods-a-new-age-review) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-croods-a-new-age-film-review-dreamworks-animation/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-croods-a-new-age-2020-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 5/10. 23 November 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/577961/the-croods-a-new-age-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-croods-a-new-age.md