Apr 12, 2006 05:43 AM
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(Updated Apr 12, 2006 05:43 AM)
Ice Age 2is the sequel of the well-received first version of the ice age and the prehistoric animals that live during that time. Well acquainted with the group of rather unlikely pals: The Wooly Mammoth (Ray Romano), The Saber Tooth Tiger(Denis Leary) and the Sloth (John Leguizamo) this version has the same talent that seems to relatively insure the success of the story. Add to this group the friends that they make along the way (as well as a few villainous prehistoric creatures) and we have a story…Or do we?
The critics were not kind to this movie, with the opinion that it is unremarkable, replete with one-liner clichés and a ho-hum story line. Ok, so there was a bit of predictability. But the story itself was entertaining and the additional voice talents of Queen Latifah (as the lady Mammoth love interest), Jay Leno(as Freddie the fast talker) and the two possums, made the story fun. There were a few over the top jokes that cracked up many of the adults, some of whom made glances at their children to make sure that the intendre of the joke was missed. Some of the humor did indeed earn the film a PG-13 rating. The first version was only PG.
The story, simply, is about the coming of the meltdown of the Ice Age period. Global Warming has promoted the heat to rise and the glaciers to calf, leading to the drowning of all creatures great and small who live in the valley. This comes as quite a surprise to them and after a bit of coaxing, they line up and move out. They make friends along the way and what I enjoyed were not just the funny lines that take place but the issues that each has that depict the characters with flaws. The Saber tooth Tiger is afraid of water-not a very good fear to have with the impending danger. The Mammoth are soon to be extinct, so we believe, and the two Mammoths (Romano and Latifah) MUST be friends. Not so easy a feat with the two possums hanging on and getting in the way. Did I mention that the female Mammoth believes she is a possum too? Another odd concept but cute.
The best parts of the movie were the great visual and sound effects: The thunderous water that threatened the home of the animals, the details of the Mammoth hair, the characterization and features of the animals. Even better are the animated musical sequences. The best scene of the movie is when the Sloth is captured by a tribe of sloths who believe him to be the Chosen One and chosen to be the Sacrifice to “The Great Sloth”.” But not before they all engage in a game of monkey see monkey do. The sloths are all different colors of muted, greens, purples, and tans and as they play their game, they make music and dancing which is quite catchy. The choreography was superb.
If you have seen the first movie, Ice Age, you might remember the Saber tooth Squirrel that is intent on having his nut He goes to every extreme to get his nut (and have it too) with the tenacity of Wile E. Coyote of Warner Brothers Road Runner Cartoons. This cartoon character within the cartoon steals the show. Some will even argue that he is the show!
This is a pleasant movie for a Sunday Afternoon with your children or family. You really do have to enjoy this type of film for what it is not for what it isn’t. I recommend that if you do see it in the theatre, sit up closer to the screen so that you can really see the detail. Not to strain your eyes, but to see each hair of the animals.
