Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
So many movies now come in threes. Too many movies now come in threes. The Ice Age saga should have stayed put at two. Nonetheless, they did not, and here are we are to suffer the consequences. This film can’t decide who it wants to enjoy it, and for that reason not many will. Or no one will enjoy it very much. Bad writing, second-rate animation, and a misguided approach to the animated genre film. Funny at times, but on the whole, a bad attempt to fulfill the difficult task of making a trilogy.
One of the only good things about this film is the voice acting, which is pretty much spot-on. The regular cast of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, and Dennis Leary, gets new addition Simon Pegg as the character Buck, and he is hilarious, and by far one of the best things that this film has to offer. Sadly, the writing is just not great. They stretch out the film with the extended chronicle of the scrawny, furry little creature looking for his nut. In this one, he discovers a love-interest, and it gives that little ditty a new look and a little bit more fun. But it doesn’t really add a whole lot to the film. It doesn’t take away, I guess, but it shows that they are really hurting for ideas to continue these lovable characters’ story for loving fans. I appreciate the attempt, but I don’t have to like it.
Carlos Saldanha and Mike Thurmeier co-direct this one, like they did the previous two, which, for the sake of flow, of continuity, and, for lack of better term, same-ness, does help. But it doesn’t make the movie any better. As a matter of fact, it’s hard to find things in this film that do make it any better. The voice-acting, of course, was fantastic; it’s hard to find better comedic actors than Simon Pegg. But beyond that, and the slapstick gags that are pulled on Sid the Sloth, who, in this one, is not nearly as funny as before and lacks any real redeemable qualities. Sure, he cares. But he’s so stupid that it makes it hard to care about him. He never does anything right, and he doesn’t seem to know or care to improve himself. I haven’t even spoken about the plot yet, which, to call it a stretch, is a stretch. It’s pretty awful. ”How do we make the dinosaurs reappear? We put them under the earth!” Um. What? Moving on.
The theme of the movie, if there is one, is the importance of family, friends, and the desire to fit in with some group, no matter how unconventional that group may be. But for all practical purposes, is this any different than the theme of the first two, on the whole? Probably not. At least not by much. So, is this film worth seeing? If you absolutely love these characters, then yes, it is, because there are some genuinely funny moments, and the characters are essentially the same ones you fell in love with. If you’re liable to swing one way or the other, then just let this one pass.
Rating: 1.5/4 Stars
