Rated PG for mild rude humor and some intense animated action

By Chris Jalil
BEACON COLUMNIST

posted Jul 20, 2012 - 7:08:04am

The Ice Age gang is back for another go at the box office and the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. And in their latest endeavor, writers Michael Berg and Jason Fuchs accomplish the seemingly impossible: Against all odds, they somehow wrap every traditional storyline not explored in the previous three films of the series into this sequel. Thankfully, directing duo Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier pull this off without a mammoth-like clumsiness.

A short and charming tale, Continental Drift explores the issues of adolescence, shining spotlights on each generation’s perspective as an overprotective Manny (Ray Romano) must cope with his daughter Peaches’ (Keke Palmer) maturation. Several of the titular tectonic catastrophes make appearances this year, separating the wooly protagonist from his beloved family on one occasion.

Here, Berg and Fuchs emphasize the difficulty associated with losing one’s home or the simple comfort of familiarity. The pair also calls attention to other cliché concepts, such as the importance of remaining “who you are” and embracing the uniqueness of your loved ones. Regardless of the platitudes, the writers’ conveyance of such messages soars. Those warm and fuzzy feelings seemingly intrinsic in animated movies inevitably find their way into your heart.

That being said, the minds behind the latest icy installment understood what worked in the previous flicks all too well. The core combination of Denis Leary, John Leguizamo and Romano makes for enjoyable comedic moments, but Continental Drift feels more like a rehash than a follow-up. The same old jokes and a reincarnation of Sid’s hysterical dance routine from Ice Age 2: The Meltdown appear contrived, as if the production team either struggled to pen innovative routines or simply denied their necessity. On top of that, the lovable nut-crazy squirrel Scrat’s (Chris Wedge) scenes that fans eagerly anticipated are mostly shorts that had already debuted as preludes to other 20th Century Fox flicks. (It’s not wrong to feel a bit cheated.)

Peter Dinklage dons a particularly striking hairdo as the nefarious Captain Gutt, but a just opinion of his enactment cannot be so quickly noted. Perhaps the shoddy musical number blurs rational judgment, or maybe it’s because of the stereotypical character’s uncharacteristic comical tone, but the villain is not so easily placed. Nevertheless, with a band of misfits unfit for the animated avenue (either in their forgettable performances or because of how unbearable their personas are) - Aubrey Graham (a.k.a. Drake), Nicki Minaj and Aziz Ansari - Dinklage is as much a breath of fresh air as the inviting ocean breeze. The Game of Thrones star adds much appreciated personality to the mostly bland brood of newcomers.

As far as laughs are concerned, audiences will find that the smallest creatures tend to pack the biggest wallops. Sid’s incorrigible optimism and naivety are timeless devices, effortlessly enhancing the hilarity of each seemingly imminent death scenario. Scrat’s new sequences and the Braveheart-inspired chipmunks will have the whole family in stitches. And the absolutely wonderful Wanda Sykes, as the lovably crabby Granny, rounds out a supporting cast that will ensure audiences will have a good time.

Stars & Popcorn grade: 2 1/2 stars, 3 1/2 popcorn.

— Jalil is a movie reviewer for Stars & Popcorn. Jalil lives in Gainesville, where he attends the University of Florida and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English.

Sponsored by Liebe Entertainment Group, Marketplace 8. Click here to see showtimes for SavagesIce Age: Continental Drift

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