Ice Age: The Meltdown review
Ice Age: The Meltdown
By Oggy Bleacher
Seldom a dull moment as a Wooly Mammoth, Saber-toothed Tiger and a Sloth suffer through a global climate change and the subsequent crisis. This trio includes Manny (Romano), Diego (Leary) and the lisping Sid (Leguizamo) respectively. Queen Latifah (as an oversized Possum) joins them mid way through this multi-layered story. Twentieth Century Fox follows up Ice Age (2002) with a strong animated feature comedy. The key to any film with broad appeal is to use subtle storytelling. A scene with
Manny channels Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh as he grapples with his solitude. Sid and Diego milk the mismatched couple bit to maximum effect. However, when a relationship is based on contradictions and misunderstandings you can almost predict what the dialogue is going to sound like. The key is to have a buffet of stories to enjoy. In Ice Age II we have the central conflict surrounding the melting ocean of ice that threatens the herd’s home. The question of species extinction adds some dread as do a pair of aquatic predators. Sid finds plenty of ways to get himself into trouble and Diego must overcome his fear of water. Some wily possums show up just when the journey might get dull, as does a wooly love interest. Lastly, Scrat the beloved proto-squirrel continues his caching ritual. Scrat combines the persistence of Wile E. Coyote with the deceptive cuteness of Chilly Willy the Penguin. He is the backbone of the two movies. Technically, the animators pay the most attention to Scrat’s frantic quest. Don’t be surprised if an entire feature is made to showcase his ongoing efforts to bury acorns. Scrat’s mission is so basic, so primal, that it eclipses all other facets of the Ice Age saga. Scrat does not speak a word, yet everyone relates to his struggle. That, my friends, is a very good character.
With all these mini stories going on it is easy to be amused by something. The dialogue is a clever mix of modern Snoop Dogg and classic Neil Simon thanks to the accomplished Jon Vitti. Vitti has written episodes of The Simpsons and King of The Hill and was a staff writer on Saturday Night live before taking full control of the writing of Ice Age II. The original Ice Age required no fewer than 10 writers and story consultants. Vitti wrote the sequel by himself and he earned his paycheck with a joke-a-second script that rarely misses an opportunity for a laugh, though I would like to know what role Vitti played in adding the ungainly “Food Glorious Food!” musical number from Oliver, which pushed my parody button a little too hard.
Compliments aside, the lovely peril found in the first Ice Age movie was not duplicated here. The danger wasn't as imminent due to the fact that the meltdown is partly a blessing, while the ice age itself was all bad. Maybe I’m just projecting my Neanderthal subjectivity. A subtle flaw, but not something the creators could avoid unless they wanted to make a "Mid-Ice Age" movie. Slightly less subtle are some of the practical questions the movie raises. The ocean of water concept is not only implausible, but it contradicts modern geological theory that glaciers didn’t evaporate or suddenly melt. Check out
Still, the central theme of friendship in spite of differences and the humor found in trying situations plays well. Overcoming fears in the face of danger is also a prominent theme. Jokes fly fast and furious for all ages. The positive messages are dropped casually and with respect for the intelligent sixth grader. Scrat steals our hearts with his devotion to collecting acorns. Ice Age II won’t win any awards, but it’s a strong production for Twentieth Century Fox.
Grade B
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Voices: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah
Animation by Blue Sky Studios
MPAA Rating: PG
Runtime: 100 Minutes
Release Company: Twentieth Century Fox
posted by Oggy Bleacher | 2:40 AM
