Ice Age: Continental Drift
Rating: PG
20th Century Fox’s original Ice Age is definitely a favorite of mine. I love the icy landscapes, clever lines and crisp CGI! I was definitely looking forward to seeing what the prehistoric misfits were up to in their fourth installment Ice Age: Continental Drift! Naturally, Scrat the sabor tooth squirrel sets up the film. This time his unhealthy (but hysterical) obsession for acorns causes a major world change (is he ever going to get his own movie?). Movie-goers learn how exactly the continents break apart as we’re all sent on an sea buckling adventure with Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Sid’s Granny (Wanda Sykes).
Along with the familiar Ice Age characters there are new characters such as fluffy-looking chipmunks, mean gorilla pirates, a neurotic bunny and teenage mammoths. Prior to the continental drift, Manny is being an over protective dad to his little girl Peaches (Keke Palmer) who is now a teenager. She has a crush on a mammoth named Ethan (Drake) and breaks the rules to see him and be one of the “coo” kids. Manny and Peaches argue (sure most families can relate to this scene) about the rules and this is when the continents start to divide. The trio gets washed away on an ice berg as Peaches and Ellie (Queen Latifah) watch. Peaches is guilt stricken and worries that she will never see her dad again! Manny vows to get back to his family!
The trio quickly realizes that Sid’s granny was a stow away and now they have to protect the senile sloth, while fighting pirates on their dangerous journey! This is when the adventure really begins. The 3D effects are awesome and really enhance the fight scenes between the main characters and the pirates. The close framing of pirate gorilla Captain Gut was a little intense for my daughter but I loved the detail of his face.
Family is definitely a theme in this movie and this is proven as the trio have each other’s backs. Diego tries to persuade newcomer Shira (Jennifer lopez-she’s part of the pirates) to join them and that his friends have each other’s backs unlike Captain Gut and his motley clue.
This film is family friendly and entertaining. My young daughter loved it and Granny’s antics were definitely the highlight for me. I also cracked up over Sid’s line “HOLY CRAB!”
I also wanted to mention there is a fantastic short film bundled with Ice Age: Continental Drift. “The Simpsons” short film starring Maggie The Baby was quite clever. Keep an eye on her blue bow!
– Tee
* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review. That’s IT Mommy attended a Fox screening free of charge to facilitate this review. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service.
The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ. Photos are courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
