The fifth installment of the franchise hit Ice Age reunites us with Manny
the mammoth (Ray Romano) and his two best friends, Diego the Sabre-tooth
Tiger (Denis Leary) and Sid the Sloth (John Leguizamo). Over the course of
the first 4 films, the unlikely trio become the best of friends,
introduction of love interests for both Manny and Diego, and the birth of a
Manny’s little girl. In this chapter, Manny and Ellie’s daughter Peaches
(Keke Palmer) is engaged to Julian. Manny’s struggle to let go of his
little girl causes tension with his relationship with Julian (Adam Devine).
The unlikely herd is struck by a meteor shower, that was as usual caused by
Scrat the squirrel, that forces them underground back to to land of
Dinosaurs. The return of hyperactive weasel Buck (Simon Peg) is the
highlight of movie, with his unconventional tactics, outlandish anecdotes
and death defying acrobatics. Buck figures out a large asteroid is headed
towards Earth threatening to destroy the entire planet. The only way to
stop the asteroid from it’s extinction level destruction is to find a way
to divert the asteroid away from the planet using magnetic force. And, so
begins the adventure of the herd trying to find the town of Geotopia and
using its sacred gems to help create the magnetic field needed.
They are definitely trashing the laws of paleontology and geology with this
film. The far fetched plot line leaves little to be desired compared to
the story line of its predecessors. The audience is kept busy dealing with
boring family squabbles and Sid desperate to still find love. If it wasn’t
for the role of Buck, the adult audience would consider this movie to be a
complete flop. The younger generation will be scratching their heads
wondering if this scenario is even plausible. I know, my 8 year old kid
was questioning it! Nonetheless, there was enough slap stick comedy and
antics to keep kids entertained and parents chuckling.
2 out of 5 stars.
Second Review by Jennifer Fiduccia
Ice Age: Collision Course brings back the old cast members Manny (Ray Romano), Sid
(John Leguizamo), Diego (Denis Leary), Ellie (Queen Latifah), and Peaches ( Keke
Palmer) and introduces a new main character introduced as Julian (Adam Devine) who
is Peaches fiancé.
As the movie opens, we watch as Scrat manages to get himself launched into space in
pursuit of his ever elusive acorn and in doing so, sets off a billiards style bumper
game between the planets, and causing an earth threatening meteor shower.
Back on Earth, Manny, Sid, Diego and crew must try to figure out how to save their
planet and family.
This is the fifth installment in the Ice Age series and while I absolutely think it
is a family friendly, fun film, to be 100% honest…. I found myself dozing off more
than once during it. My almost 8 year old son was completely engaged and laughed
through the whole film though, and really that’s what matters. I could have just as
well waited to see it on DVD. Some of the comedy had me rolling my eyes, yet at the
same time elicited giggles from the boy.
My favorite character was the re-introduction of Buck (voiced by Simon Pegg) and his
quirky antics did make me smile and laugh out loud a few times.
My son liked the possum brothers Crash and Eddie (Seann William Scott and Josh Peck)
and their crazy commentary throughout the film.
To me, while the plot and story and jokes were not the best I have seen from this
franchise, the scenery and detail in the animation was better than previous films.
The colors and attention to detail were definitely attention -grabbing and note
worthy.
For me personally, I would give this film maybe 2 out of 5 stars, but for a film for
the kids and meant to get the family out together for a fun outing, I’d rate it at a
4 out of 5 for the kids.
