When I reviewed The Croods back in 2013, I called it “critic proof,” which meant that it had elements that would prove popular enough to overcome negative criticism. It was just that type of movie. So is the sequel, which follows a similar path and has even more elements that may appeal to audiences while making more critical viewers cringe. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s a fun, clever movie despite its issues.

Joel Crawford’s movie follows Guy and the Crood family across prehistoric wastes to an oasis, a garden of Eden-like tranquility and prosperity, made so by another family, the Bettermans. The Bettermans welcome Guy, whom they knew when he was a child, and the Croods, with the idea of letting Guy stay to romance their daughter while the brutish “cave people” move on.

The film compares and contrasts the families, and philosophies of existence, in fascinating detail, which will keep adult viewers engrossed while their kids marvel at the animation, the slapstick comedy and the cute animals. It goes off the rails near the end with a big fuss about bananas and the giant mandrilla that demands to be fed, but before then the script pokes ironic fun at the primitive cave people (Croods) and the intellectual tree people (Bettermans) who are at odds with each other because of Guy.

At times it’s all a bit much, yet I do find the characters endearing, as well as amusing. I like the emphasis on female bonding, even when it becomes so blatant that the “Thunder Sisters” are given slow-motion introductions and fourth-wall breaking nickname captions. The moral lesson to be learned from the script is cooperation, but it takes a long time for these families to realize it. But it’s a fun trip to get to that point. ☆ ☆ ☆. 22 December 2020.