By now, the Ice Age films have lost pretty much all place in the culture at large and are really only about getting a paycheck every three years (like clockwork). Hey, the films still make money, so why not milk this cow ’til the udders bleed? But will you really enjoy yourself at these movies anymore?…
What Works:…If, like me, you love movies set in the arctic or the ocean, the answer may be “yes.” [A big part of the reasons I saw Ice Age 4 over, say, Madagascar 3.] I could watch a junky movie set on the ocean (like Waterworld) a dozen times because I love arctic and marine wildlife. I’d say that played at least a small role in why I loved The Grey so much earlier this year. And Peter Dinklage is very strong as this movie’s villain, and also clearly the new character having the most fun (although Keke Palmer is likable as the Mammoth daughter).
What Doesn’t Work: However, there’s no denying that this Ice Age film isn’t a very strong movie on its own right, and the by-the-numbers adventures the crew find themselves on (some bullshit happens, then they have to go on a journey, more bullshit happens as they run into a new villain and pick up a new funny supporting character, happy ending bullshit) are wearing thin. And most of the new voice cast additions for this go-round (Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez) are just pop stars that don’t really understand how to make their line readings fun…they’d rather be cool than show us much enjoyment.
What I Would Have Done Differently: Playing before this movie is an animated short film starring The Simpsons’s Maggie at the Ayn Rand School for Tots, and it’s brilliant. Almost no audience member seemed to get it (I’m including the adults along with the kids) but it was absolutely the highlight of this movie—-clever, original, and inspiring. I would much rather have seen that short turned into a full length movie, and still would, before I see another Ice Age movie.
Really, are the stars not making enough already.