--- title: "The Croods: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-croods/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-croods" critics_score: 52 critics_reviews: 17 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 (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 52 from 17 reviews: 3 positive, 7 mixed, 7 negative. Most critics find The Croods handsome to look at and ordinary to listen to. The reviews lean mixed to negative, with the praise clustering almost entirely on the animation: the colourful landscapes, the invented creatures, the smoothly staged action and the restrained use of 3D are singled out even in the harshest notices. Nicolas Cage’s vocal performance as Grug draws regular compliments, and several reviews note that young children are well served. The reservations gather around the script. Critics describe the story as familiar, the humour as broad and old-fashioned, and the characters as stock, with The Guardian treating the film as a stand-in for the Ice Age series and Paste measuring it against Pixar and finding it short. The spread is wide, from a lively, well-made adventure at The Wrap and Digital Spy to a near-dismissal at the Los Angeles Times, with most settling in the middle: a pleasant enough afternoon for families, and not much more. ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 February 2013. Festival review. Rooney finds the film sweet and entertaining for young children, though its humor and storytelling are uneven. He praises the imaginative fantasy creatures and landscapes, while noting that the script lacks sophistication and consistent wit. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/croods-berlin-review-421866/) ## Screen Daily — David D'Arcy Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 February 2013. The available page identifies this as a review, but its critical verdict is hidden behind the paywall. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-croods/5052103.article) ## RogerEbert.com — Christy Lemire Rating 2.5/4. 21 March 2013. The review gives the film a mixed verdict. It praises the animation while finding the story familiar. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-croods-2013) ## Time Out — Catherine Bray Rating 3/5. 19 March 2013. The available page metadata confirms this is a review but gives no readable critical verdict. It describes a prehistoric family surviving assorted dangers by staying put. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-croods) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 22 March 2013. Ebiri finds the film familiar and not especially clever, but says its wit and pace keep it engaging. He praises Nicolas Cage’s vocal performance as Grug, while noting that the humor often feels old-fashioned. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/03/movie-review-the-croods.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 21 March 2013. Bradshaw finds the film amiable enough, but sees it as a substitute for the Ice Age movies rather than a standout. He singles out its clichéd, simplistic writing as a weakness. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/mar/21/the-croods-review) ## Empire — Phil de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 17 February 2010. The review finds the film visually bold but ultimately ordinary, with clunky storytelling and too few witty ideas. It praises the colorful visuals, 3D, and creature designs, while noting that the story lacks emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/croods-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Chris Cabin Rating 1.5/4. 20 March 2013. Cabin finds the film visually dazzling but ultimately let down by its flimsy, sentimental story. He praises the colorful forest and its bizarre creatures, while criticizing the broad family comedy and uneven storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-croods/) ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 19 March 2013. Felperin finds the film’s story unfunny and its subplots poorly integrated, limiting its appeal. She praises the smoothly animated action sequences and vivid, carefully rendered colors and lighting. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/film/markets-festivals/the-croods-1117949263/) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 21 March 2013. Sharkey finds the film’s comedy and story weak, leaving the family adventure short on humor and emotional substance. She praises the imaginative, striking 3-D animation, especially during the film’s cataclysms. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-mar-21-la-et-mn-the-croods-20130322-story.html) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Rating ★★★★. 20 March 2013. The review says the film grows from a weak opening into a lively, family-friendly adventure. It praises the sight gags, colorful creatures, and Nicolas Cage’s performance as Glug. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a467160/the-croods-review-winning-animation-evokes-classic-simpsons/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 March 2013. The critic finds the film thoroughly entertaining and well made. They single out its dazzling visuals, genuine comedy, and compelling characters for praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/croods-review-dazzling-fun-proves-even-caveman-dad-can-evolve-81991/) ## Paste — Tyler Chase Rating 7.1/10. 20 March 2013. The critic finds The Croods enjoyable but limited, especially when measured against Pixar’s work. The visuals and subtle use of 3D, along with the voice performances by Emma Stone and Nicolas Cage, stand out. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-croods) ## Den of Geek — Nick Allen Rating 3/5. 22 March 2013. The critic finds the film an imperfect but welcome family comedy with sparks of cleverness. He praises its colorful creatures, rich visuals, and lively voice performances, while noting that its humor and dialogue often play it safe. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-croods-review/) ## The Skinny — Chris Fyvie Rating ★★. 19 March 2013. The critic finds the film loud, dull and lacking nuance, with little to offer adults. They single out its impressive visuals and brisk pace as insufficient to compensate for stock characters and a poor script. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-croods) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2014. Kermode finds the film formulaic and poorly served by its focus on Grug, though it can keep young children entertained. She praises the witty visual touches and the vivid environments the family travels through. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-croods-2013-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 20 March 2013. The review’s headline indicates a negative verdict, arguing that the film sacrifices story and character. It singles out the impressive 3D visuals as the film’s strength. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-animated-the-croods-sacrifices-story-character-on-altar-of-impressive-3d-visuals-20130320/) --- © 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.md