The good news for parents taking their kids to see this installment of the series is that taking your “wee” ones (pun intended) to the bathroom during the film will not hinder your enjoyment or leave you lost in the plot whatsoever. We had to “go” during the climax of the movie. “Are you SURE you can’t wait a few more minutes, it’s almost over.” “No, Mommy…I filled up my bladder to the top and it’s about to spill out!” We came back to the theater and Manny & his gang were all still right where we left them: Sliding around on the ice.
The good news for parents taking their kids to see this installment of the series is that taking your “wee” ones (pun intended) to the bathroom during the film will not hinder your enjoyment or leave you lost in the plot whatsoever. We had to “go” during the climax of the movie. “Are you SURE you can’t wait a few more minutes, it’s almost over.” “No, Mommy…I filled up my bladder to the top and it’s about to spill out!” We came back to the theater and Manny & his gang were all still right where we left them: Sliding around on the ice.
It’s a silly, slap-sticky, funny, fun movie. Who doesn’t love Scrat? His never-ending quest for the elusive acorn could be compared to the everyman’s daily scramble towards his heart’s desire…but I’m not that kind of reviewer.
My criteria:
1. Did it offend me or scare my children? No.
2. Did my children learn any 4-letter words or see anyone’s “privates?” Negative.
3. Did my boys grow restless, bored and/or require constant shushes, hushes, or whispered threats? Not a one!
And the most important one:
4. Did my kids and I laugh? Yes! Lots and lots of laughs were had by everyone.
Think of it as a visit with old friends that you love to laugh with. Although, that may just be me because most of the cast are comics I’ve worked with in the past.
“Mommy? how come YOU aren’t one of the voices in the movie?”
“Because Mommy has a really bad agent.”
But I digress…
The last Ice Age movie made Manny a family man. Lots of characters were added to the “pack,” changing the dynamics of the film. They wanted to make another film (ka-ching) so how did they get our three main characters alone together again? You have Scrat break the world apart with his acorn, leaving our heroes stranded on an iceberg, that’s how. Add Sid’s cantankerous granny (voiced hysterically by Wanda Sykes) and you have instant Ice Age formula for success.
Now, I feel I have to give you some warning: The main antagonist is Captain Gutt, who is a Gigantopithecus (Big, hairy, prehistoric ape). He’s not named for his belly but for what he does with his long, sharp claws…guts his enemies! Yikes, is right. This guy made my 4-year-old’s hands go up over his ears every time he was on screen. So, if you have a sensitive munchkin like I do…be forewarned Capt. Gut is a little intense.
I have to say, I love all the characters. However, for me one stands alone in the field of funny: John Leguizamo’s Sid makes me belly laugh every movie. This time it was when Sid eats paralyzing berries and loses control of all his parts. Physical comedy at it’s finest. Think Tim Conway in the dentist sketch on the Carol Burnett Show. If you’re too young to know who or what I’m talking about, you will now have “Sid eating berries” as YOUR watermark for physical comedy.
I say, “Take your kids to see it in the theater.”You’re gonna end up buying it on BluRay, but how often can you go to the movies with your family and KNOW you’re gonna have some good clean fun? Exactly.
Maryellen Hooper
