Review of Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) by Edgar L — 31 May 2016

In the nutty pursuit of Box office bucks, Ice Age 3 somehow rose to become the fourth highest grossing animated film of all time, so venturing once more into the prehistoric fray was inevitable. From meltdowns to dinosaurs, the franchises path of non-stop primitive fauna's frivolity only had one place to go, global.

Reefing his ever elusive prize acorn from the ice, the buck-toothed fluffy-tailed squirrel-rat Scrat (Chris Wedge) causes a global tectonic disturbance. Shaking the earth to its very core, the singular landmass splits and begins the continental divide.

Adrift in the ocean, separated from their herd and family, the trusted trio of Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary), and Sid (John Leguizamo) embark upon yet another adventure attempting to navigate their Iceberg ship round the new world and get back home.

An assortment of seafaring obstacles threatens to throw them of course. From desire exploiting beckoning sirens to Sid's doddery, toothless granny (Wanda Sykes) and her imaginary friend Precious, who has a habit of innocently dragging them into precarious situations.

But when they literally run into the clutches of a pirate ship, helmed by the malevolent orangutan Captain Gutt's (Peter Dinklage) and his motley crew, it seems the tide is completely against them, or is it just about to change?

Retaining the franchises central theme about the importance of family (not matter how dysfunctional), Ice Age 4 sadly pales in comparison to its predecessors. With little character development, recycled uninspired jokes, superficial sentimentality and politically motivated storyline, this listless offering will simply float through cinemas without finding purchase.

Exploring the different forms of love, the ever positive Sid tries hard to resist the allure of the sirens and their false promises, The cantankerous Diego finally has the opportunity to find love with an attractive white kitty-kat tiger Shira (J-Lo) but will he blow it? and the now teenage Peaches develops her first crush.

Reassembling the films talented voice cast of Seann William Scott, John Leguizamo, Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Simon Pegg and so many more, is defiantly the films saving grace. The addition of new voices Nick Frost, Keke Palmer, J-Lo and Rebel Wilson (appropriately as a prehistoric kangaroo) brings wonderful surprise and a challenge for parents of which to ponder; I know that voice, but why?

Pixar's graphics are wonderful as usual, excelling in colouring, texture and detail whilst managing to once again cast aside the realities of gravity, timing and specious logic. Although with the release of their Brave two weeks ago, the timing of this is rather illogical.

The verdict: After three ages, like many of its featured creatures, the overtly lucrative Ice Age is on the way to becoming extinct.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 13/07/2012.