Early Man (2018)

Early Man is the kind of family comedy that reminds you how much joy there is in pure, handcrafted entertainment: it’s bursting with Aardman’s lovingly tactile animation, clever sight gags, and a warmhearted spirit that never talks down to kids or adults. The vibe is boisterous and breezy, a prehistoric underdog adventure that finds big laughs in small details—every eyebrow wiggle and clumsy triumph feels earned. Beneath the jokes, it’s an easy-to-root-for story about teamwork and courage, told with a charm that sneaks up on you. If you’re not into broadly silly humor or sports-movie rhythms, it may not fully click, but if you want a delightful, genuinely funny crowd-pleaser, this one’s a stone-age treat.

Early Man is clearly trying to deliver a classic Aardman underdog romp—sweet, scrappy, and packed with visual gags—by dropping cavemen into a sports-movie setup. The problem is the story feels pretty thin and familiar, and the humor can lean crude or obvious in a way that won’t land if you’re expecting the sharper wit and inventive storytelling of their best work. If you’re an adult hoping for something as clever as Wallace & Gromit or Chicken Run, this may feel like a lightweight, slightly uninspired detour. That said, the animation has charm, the pacing is breezy, and younger kids who just want silly antics and an easy-to-follow adventure will likely have a decent time.