Star rating: 3 out of 5

Rating: 6/10 (2 March 2003)

Ice Age is the next amusing chapter in the computer-animated family film genre. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say it is a rehash of the previous chapters. It is certainly a fun film, with witty word play and some exciting action sequences, including an ice-slide ride which every child (and probably most adults too) would love to try out. But one can't help feeling that the story is a little tired through previous overuse. A group of unlikely acquaintances - this time comprised of a mammoth, a sloth and a sabre-toothed tiger - set out on a quest to return the obligatory lost-but-cute child to his family.
The animation is adequate, but nowhere near the high standard set by Monsters, Inc. This is particularly noticeable with regards to the various animals' fur, which is disappointingly static. Additionally the background landscapes are very basic and the snow is somehow just too pristine. Having said that however, the film does have some nice attention to detail, such as the eye tic in Scrat - the acorn-obsessed and incredibly unlucky squirrel. The misadventures of Scrat are the best parts of the movie, and made more impressive by the fact that, as he doesn't speak a single word of dialogue, the humour is entirely visual.
There are also nice character touches evident in Manny the mammoth (who has amazingly emotive eyes), and a sequence in which a cave painting comes alive and depicts a tragic scene from his past is very effective. While an emotional sequence like this gives the movie a heart, its descent at the finale into saccharine sentimentality is somewhat cloying, but will probably satisfy the kids (and anyone else who requires a film to have a happy ending).