an entertaining watch, one of the better sequeals

Rating: 7/10 (13 April 2006)

The ice age is nearing its end. Global warming is heating everything up, melting the ice that has kept the rising water back. As our three companions; Manny, Sid and Deigo realise the valley is about to become the new sea floor, they set across the land to find higher ground. Though the rising water isn't their only problem, Manny believes he's the last mammoth alive. After Sid and Deigo encounter two possums; Crash and Eddie, they soon find another mammoth, Ellie; only problem is she thinks she's a possum too.
The first Ice Age was a welcome change in computer animation, with Pixar ruling over the area. Ice Age: The Meltdown, follows same suit, not really changing the formula around, only with the human characters taken out. This sequel doesn't really pull out many punches with the laughs, it plods along at a steady pace, yet keeps the jokes at a constant pace, so it doesn't fall flat; even if the jokes aren't ultimately that funny.
Still the funniest of all is Scrat, still on a never-ending quest for his unattainable acorn. Scrat is much like the Wyle Coyote to his acorn Road Runner. No matter how hard he tries, it never ends happy. In this respect it becomes a redundant situation; yet it's such a farce and still the highlights of the movie.
Reprising the roles, Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Denis Leary are still perfect. Adding to the voice talent, Queen Latifah as the confused mammoth/possum Ellie, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck as the energetic possums Crash and Eddie. Will Arnett is great as the Lone Vulture stalking the animals and Jay Leno as the con-turtle Fast Tony.
Just shy of the first Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown is one of the better sequels, not trying to make everything bigger and better, just an entertaining watch.