Prehistoric sequel 'The Croods 2: A New Age' leads the week's releases

13 Jul 2021 in New Releases

4 mins
The-Croods-A-New-Age
The-Croods-A-New-Age

Summer is in full swing and the new releases keep coming for audiences of all ages. This week we take a look at two sequels for young audiences, one of which has been 25 years in the making, and a fascinating summer documentary that whisks us off to the past using incredible archive footage. Wherever you look at the moment, there is something in the cinema for everyone. 

Safety is of course at the forefront of everyone's mind right now so make sure to check out the specific guidelines for your local cinema before visiting. Meanwhile, many cinemas have used lockdown as an opportunity to improve and renovate their venues so that we can all enjoy the best possible cinema experience.

New in cinemas

The Croods 2: A New Age

This zany but heartfelt animated sequel to the incredibly popular 2013 film reintroduces us to familiar characters whilst also centering themes around working together, evolving and developing friendships. Since we last saw them, things are looking up for The Croods and Guy now they have left their dark cave and begun to get used to their new lives as nomads. With their two pets, Chunky and Douglas, they stumble across a giant wall and find out that they have discovered the home of the Bettermans, a family who claim to be more evolved than anyone else in the land. As tensions and friendships rise between the two families, a group of dangerous animals known only as ‘punch-monkeys' begin to descend on the Bettermans' home.

Also new in cinemas

Space Jam: A New Legacy; Summer of Soul

Arriving 25 years after the original film, which starred the iconic basketball player Michael Jordan, this high-energy sequel introduces viewers to a new age of basketball talent while retaining funny and familiar cartoon characters. Dom, the son of basketball star LeBron James, wishes to become a video game developer rather than following in his father's sporting footsteps. After an argument, LeBron and Dom find themselves trapped inside a server, a virtual space ruled by a cruel A.I. known as Al-G Rhythm. With his son captured, the only way LeBron can save him is by accepting the A.I.'s challenge: to win a game of basketball against his digitised champions, a team of virtual avatars known as the Goon Squad. Even worse, LeBron must somehow do so with Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as his unruly teammates.

And lastly, a truly remarkable film that invites us to witness history in the making. Summer of Soul is an immersive and vibrant documentary that uses spectacular archive footage to dive into the past and explore the impact that music and community can have during times of unrest and how we can apply that to the present day. Over a six week period in 1969, a singular music and cultural festival took place in Mount Morris Park in Harlem, New York. At a time of huge social upheaval in America, the Harlem Cultural Festival celebrated Black pride, culture and fashion whilst emphasising the importance of spiritual wellbeing. Featuring impassioned performances from icons of music such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone and B.B. King, amongst many more, the festival has been largely forgotten. Until now.

This Article is part of: New Releases

Our top picks from each week's new cinema and DVD releases, all in one handy place....

View other Articles in this column

You may also be interested in...

Viewing 4 of 4 related items.

Into Film Clubs

Into Film Clubs

Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.

News details

Want to write for us?

Get in touch with your article ideas for the News and Views section.