Nuts.

Rating: Null/10 (11 November 2002)

Having long been a fan of computer animation, back from the days
where tech wizards fiddled with strangely vacant faces and
bouncing tea pots, Ice Age is another in a recent trend of computer
animated features that are proving the medium is finally coming of
age.
The obvious comparisons with 'Shrek' , 'Toy Story' and 'Monsters
inc' are immediate. However, Ice Age, should probably be
compared to Classic 'Warner Bros' animations than it's silicon
chip rendered cousins. The Pacing, humour and story are
obviously inspired by celluloid than to the likes of Shrek.
The story is pretty basic, and by no means original, but it is this
simplicity that creates the opportunity for the strengths of Ice Age to
shine, more so than the 'others'. With one of the most amusing
opening scenes of any film, you know that this is going to be fun
from start to finish, with humour (like shrek et al) that is aimed at
children, but geared towards adults.
So lets speak of the animation. The power of the the technology
has progressed to a stage where almost anything is possible.
What the makers have done though, with Ice Age, is capture the
subtlety of expression that many might miss. For Example the
'squirrel' with a nervous twitch in his eye. While the overall 'art
direction' is beautiful and at times, absolutely stunning, though
heavily stylized. A direction which I think is more interesting that
trying to create absolute realism.
Ice age is hilarious, and expressive. While the 'Dodo' scene is
one of the most clever and funny scenes of any Computer
animated feature.
Remember now, cartoons are not just for kids, and this is a
'cartoon', but it is more than that, it is a film where the directors
have absolute control over every expression, action and
mannerism of its actors. If only Hollywood actors had such power.