Captivating Visuals, Humdrum Story

Rating: 6/10 (2 July 2009)

Many reviewers have stated that if you liked the first one, you'll love the second one and worship the third one. Not so. The original Ice Age told a genuine and well-crafted tale, and remains the only compelling film of the trilogy. The sequel, Meltdown, delved into nonsensical antics with little to no plot support. Alas, the third film follows a predictable storyline (mammoth has baby during critical moment; mother dinosaur arrives on cue) but manages to surmount the tired babble by way of a subterranean twist. Oh, yes, beneath the icy tundra is a hidden tropical paradise, home to prehistoric beasts long thought to be extinct. Twilight of the Dinosaurs would be more accurate. If you're looking for alliteration, then perhaps Twilight of the Pterodactyls would work.
This change of scenery opens up a whole new can of worms. Dawn of the Dinosaurs benefits from impressive cinematic sequences not witnessed in previous installments. The coolest sequence involves Buck, the legendary weasel, and Rudy, an albino baryonyx. The two warriors engage in an epic battle on the 'edge of oblivion' (during a storm above the jungle canopy). This provides an explanation for Buck's eye patch, which I initially thought may have been a phony garb. The fighter jet pterodactyls were also impressive.
Buck (short for Buckminster) is a compelling figure that stands out amongst an increasingly banal cast. Diego yearns for his previous life of predation and feels he's losing his edge. Manny has transformed into a cuddly giant, much the same as Shrek did. And Scrat is having trouble choosing between his love for the acorn and his love for an infuriating red squirrel-rat named Scratte. Sid the sloth and the possum twins are the only characters who retain their personality.
I think I'll take a break from animation for a while.