“Ice Age 2: Meltdown” (20th Century Fox)
A Mammoth Hit
When “Ice Age” was released several years ago it was a big hit. Now comes the sequel, “Ice Age 2: Meltdown” and – pardon the pun – it is mammoth. This is the rarity of rarities, a sequel better than the original. It has a better storyline, better comedic lines, better side characters, and best of all more Scrat.
Scrat is the furry little creature who scours the frozen land looking for acorns. In the first film he was featured at the beginning, but in this sequel his adventures are scattered throughout the movie. And that is a wise move for the more Scrat the merrier.
We also get to see Manny the Mammoth again (voiced by Ray Romano). He and his herd, Diego (Denis Leary) and Sid (John Leguizamo), are trying to find their way out of an ice enclosed valley. There is going to be a meltdown and this area is going to be flooded.
Along the way they meet a female mammoth named Ellie (Queen Latifah). Manny is immediately taken with her but there is a problem. Ellie is convinced she is a possum. She is traveling with her two possum “brothers” Crash and Eddie (Sean William Scott and Josh Peck). These two characters fight Scrat in attempts to steal the film. Scrat and the possums are so endearing and so charming that it is hard to say who is more appealing.
The voices of the actors fit the characters perfectly and the storyline is serious enough but also light too. Everything about this movie is handled correctly. And when the vultures swoop down and eye the traveling mammals they break into an impromptu version of “Food, Glorious Food” from “Oliver.” This song is glorious in the movie.
The film is rated PG for mild violence. Only the smallest of children will have problems with that aspect of the film.
“Ice Age 2: Meltdown” is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. It is funny, romantic and just all round enjoyable. In recent months it has seemed that Hollywood just didn’t know how to make a good movie anymore. Well this film proves they do. It is so enjoyable it is like finding an acorn in the frozen glaciers of the world.
Take the kids, take the folks, heck take everybody and go have a fun night out with “Ice Age 2: Meltdown.” It is a family film that really entertains. And keep an eye out for those possums!
I scored “Ice Age 2: Meltdown” a mammoth 8 out of 10.
