Ah, the Ice Age series. Some think they are a fun group of films, others want them to just drop dead. Like The Simpsons of computer animation! But, I personally enjoy these films, though some of them are less than good. The original is probably the best. It had a simple story line, a mammoth, a sloth, and a saber tooth tiger bring a baby back to it's family, while a squirrel wants to get an acorn. Simple, and it's pretty much how you would explain as a sit down film. You watch it, have a few laughs, and it's done. The sequel on the other hand, Ice Age 2, well, is what you can explain as a sequel that's just half the original, which is weird considering the amount of story lines it has! Manny meets Ellie, another mammoth, but Ellie thinks she's a possum. Crash and Eddie have their antics. Sid, is Sid! Diego does Diego things! There are these two crocodiles who are out to get them, Scrat does his thing, and all while the polar ice caps are melting. It was a mess of a film, and in my opinion, the worst of the bunch. But, I have better things to say about Ice Age 3. They try something new by going down in the jungles with the dinosaurs, which makes no historical sense, but it's fun. Though it isn't really a good movie, I still find it the most enjoyable of the three. So, the fourth installment is here, and I had my doubts on this film, but I saw it in a cheap theatre dodging a bunch of heads above me and now I'm here to tell you what I think. Wow, there are a lot of characters on this one, so I'm not going to explain them all or this review would be bigger than, well, the critical hate of this film. 38% on rotten tomatoes, that's just cruel. Ok, so I'm going to just explain the new characters after Sid, because he's the only one who really grows. Sid has to take care of his Granny, who was dumped on him by his family before running off again. He has his moments, but I personally enjoy Granny more. I find her a likable addition to the Ice Age franchise, even though it's about to burst. Now, there are the pirates, and Gutt, is probably the best villain on the Ice Age franchise. He can have a few comedic moments but, he's just horrifying. If you saw this movie, tell me you didn't get the chills when he told his story on how he got his name. There's the elephant seal who, like Sid, has his moments, and Shira, who is just there to copy some elements on Ice Age 2. Again, the worst of the bunch. However, I do like when she fights off the pirates so the group can escape.
Now for Peaches. You know, the baby mammoth from Ice Age 3. She's all grown up now, and it's another episode of Hannah Montana meets That's So Raven! It's interesting to see how she's grown, but I think her own sub-plot isn't necessary. Well, I don't know, I literally groaned at her scenes. It defeats the whole purpose of the first movie. The first movie dealt with humans and how they can make an impact on the animal's lives, as well as keep us in the time period, and Ice Age 2, to it's credit, kept it's plot to the same period. But no, we got to worry if Peaches will ever fit in with the popular group, or get her crush. But, uh oh, she lost her mole best friend, and now she has to get him back, when in truth, the mole has a crush on Peaches! That's kind of creepy, but you get the idea! Copy Ice Age 2, kind of bad, but a disney sitcom, it really hurt me! One sub-plot out of many. Scrat's scenes are classic, and I always like Manny's sub-plot, that's where all the adventure is, and that's the most interesting part of the film. So, with all these complaints you must think I hate this film. Well, I'll tell you, I actually don't. Yea, it has it's bad moments, and yea, it can get stupid. But, so is Madagascar 3. And to be fair, it is more dignified then Madagascar 3, therefore I'm willing to call it a better film. It isn't perfect, but I enjoyed it just the same. If you like Ice Age 3, and maybe even 2, then you will enjoy Ice age 4. Plot - 57/100 Well, scratch Peaches and you got a good plot. Characters - 71/100 They're all pretty good, just too many icing on the cake. Emotion - 62/100 Ok, I admit, they don't bring much emotion into it. But, I do enjoy the theme of family. Animation - 80/100 It's nice, but it's still the same thing from the previous films... ice. Who would want to stare at ice for over an hour!? Overall - 67.5/100 More dignified then Madagascar 3, but still not the best of the franchise. But, despite all the things I hate about it, I found enough things to keep me happy, and I think that's the token. Fun Fact, Ice Age was originally in the hands of Don Bluth. Creator of The Land Before Time, An American Tail, and The Secret of NIMH. So, yea, here's a question for you guys to comment. Do you think the Ice Age films would be better if Don Bluth kept his hands on the film, or is it better Don Bluth retires when he did? I want to know! So, yea,
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