Overall Rating: Score: 8.2/10
Grade: A-
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 4 (Great)
Kids ages 5+
First it was the eskimo baby, then it was the ice melting, then dinosaurs, and now, land division, how could things get any worse?
In the fourth installment of the prehistoric "chillogy", in his continued Road Runner-like pursuit of an acorn, Scrat accidentally causes the Pangea (in which all the continents divide). Meanwhile, Manny (Ray Romano) and his wife Ellie (Queen Latifah) are trying to be the best parents they can be to their now-teenage daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer). But, when Manny is all of a sudden separated from his family by a huge gap in the earth, he vows that he will find them. Joined by Sid (John Leguizamo), Diego, and Sid's Granny (Wanda Sykes), the foursome accidentally runs into a band of pirates led by Captain Gutt and his first mate Shira (Jennifer Lopez). Will they be able to get back home?
Positive Notes
Family values are at the center of this Continental Drift. Manny is a loving father who would do anything for his family, and his main priority is to be there for them. The same thing doesn't go for Peaches, as after her father embarrasses her, she wishes him not to be her dad. But immediately after they are separated, she realizes how important her family is, and how important it is to follow the rules. Also in the movie are strong examples on friendship and self-sacrifice.
The animation, while not in the same ballpark as Brave or Legend of the Guardians, is still colorful and fun. There are a few 3D-worthy effects and impressively-done action situations. The voice cast once again shines, with Romano, Leguizamo, Leary, and Latifah being the stand-outs, and the new additions Keke Palmer, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicki Minaj adding extra juice. Oscar-nominated composer John Powell delivers a nice and thrilling music score.
As a fan of action films, this Ice Age had enough thrills to make it feel like a motion simulator at times. Out of both songs in the film, the "We Are" ensemble is a catchy, memorable tune. There's also a number of hilarious moments with Sid, Granny, and Scrat.
Negative Notes
Not much that parents will object against. There is a bit of rude humor involving throwing up, inside of the nose, and someone not noticing his rear end. Shape-shifting sirens turn into shapely females that attract the characters (one apparently hooks Sid, and he accidentally kisses Diego as a result of his mind playing tricks on him. Another one tells Granny, "the wrinklier the fruit, the juicier the fruit"). Some cartoonish peril and slapstick violence that may be a bit intense for preschoolers. "sons of sorry excuses", "screw-up", "jeez", "holy crab!", and the unfinished "what the...?" are the films' strongest interjections.
Conclusion
Being only the second animated franchise to reach a fourth film, I have to say the Ice Age franchise is leaps in bounds better than the Shrek franchise. I saw the first one several times, thanks to my cousins and a few friends, and I saw the third one in theaters, which I thought was a good movie.
So, can a fourth movie actually be the best in the franchise? And the answer is surprisingly, yes! This colorful and sometimes instructional adventure has family values at its' core. And while they're not as well-demonstrated as what Brave showed, the strong lesson on increased communication between parents and their teenagers will still hit home with families. Now its' not completely free of content problems, as it doesn't quite break away from some Looney Tunes-style violence and brief gross-out gags.
Still though, the thrilling and hilarious pace of this animated comedy make Ice Age 4 the best film in the franchise and an overall nice surprise.
(NOTE: The film is preceded by a decent short starring Maggie Simpson called "The Longest Daycare". The short does have a little bit of mild gross-out humor, but it's pretty much a funny cartoon that doesn't carry the sometimes raunchy humor of The Simpsons.)
