Ice Age
Screenplay written by: Peter Ackerman, Michael Berg, Michael
Wilson
Actors: (Voices) Ray Ramano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
Directed by: Chris Wedge
Rated: G, (Mild Animated Violence)
Ice Age
Screenplay written by: Peter Ackerman, Michael Berg, Michael Wilson
Actors: (Voices) Ray Ramano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
Directed by: Chris Wedge
Rated: G, (Mild Animated Violence)
20th Century Fox brought us a delightful animated tale of wooly mammoths, a saber-toothed tiger, and agile clinging possums that inhabited the snow and gleaming glaciers of the Ice Age. Seeing all the signs of the glaciers melting away that would fill the valley they live in with water, the animal friends assemble and begin to worry that the environment is changing. Leaving a frustrated and clever squirrel to his pursuit of an illusive nut in the snow, Manfred the Mammoth (Ray Ramano), Sid the Sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego the Sabertooth-tiger (Denis Leary) band together and begin their trek southward to be able to survive with friendship, humor, and loyalty bonding them on their journey.
He Said:
With the studio’s “tag line” of “The Coolest Event in 16,000 Years,” this animated family adventure/comedy was just that for a G audience. With humorous antics that had me chuckling and a script that wasn’t anything but good family entertainment, the 81 minutes of “Ice Age” seemed to fly by. In spite of its very simple plot and uncomplicated characters, there were some good messages under it all. Their kindness to each other as they teamed in their mutual best interest to survive was one. Managing their fears through courage and the help of their friends (like Diego’s fear of water and Manfred’s concern for becoming an extinct animal) was another. The amusing characters and simple story communicated themes like loyalty, the importance of family and the bonds of friendship, using good or bad judgment, and the importance of protecting endangered species. Kids will love it, and adults will appreciate the use of sounds at just the right moments.
On the R&R Scale (1-10):
7 for script: Clever and fast moving.
8 for direction: Foley editor, Steven Visscher, had great sound effects.
7 for acting: Romano’s voice well suited for the big Mammoth.
7 for plot: Simple and perfect for children.
8 for entertainment value: For young G entertainment.
7.4 overall
She Said:
Laughter on a rainy afternoon feels especially good. From the beginning, the entertaining resourcefulness of the nut-searching prehistoric squirrel in “Ice Age” had me smiling, and then the endearing animated characters charmed me all through the rest of the story. While there were fearful moments of impending disaster not unlike the old cartoons with Wiley Coyote, I could not help but notice that this animated film seemed so much less violent than the cartoons most of us grew up with despite the Tae Kwon Do moves of the animals. I enjoyed “Ice Age” in many respects, including the music. Based upon the mostly young audience’s reaction, it is an amusing movie that your whole family will enjoy, but don’t expect the double-meanings in the words that have spiced up other G films actually made for adults.
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
7 for script: Well paced, thoughtful.
8 for direction: Quality animation and clever antics.
7 for acting: The voices well-suited.
7 for plot: Simple, as it is supposed to be.
9 for entertainment value for family entertainment
7.6 overall
