Movie Review: Ice Age: The Meltdown

Manny, Sid and Diego are back in the second instalment of Ice Age: The Meltdown. Like the first movie, it starts with the inimitable Scrat who, once again, risks everything to take possession of a nut. He's a character in the tradition of the Road Runner who will not give up in pursuit of a goal despite all the odds. And in the case of Ice Age: The Meltdown Scrat provides the best, most hilarious entertainment of the movie. In fact, without Scrat beginning and ending the movie, The Meltdown would be pretty mediocre. Global warming is bringing the ice age to an end and Manny, Sid and Diego must warn everyone and run to safety. There are some cute characters in a fairly predictable story with moments of genuine humour here and there. But it is patchy and, in a few places, drags a bit. But it is worth waiting for the ultimate irony at the end when the fortunes of Scrat seemed to have turned for the better. And I love the two possums, Crash and Eddie -- I will just have to buy them when they turn up at my local fast food joint! Overall, Ice Age: The Meltdown is an innocuous 91 minutes to take the kids along to, relax, and learn of the importance of facing our fears. My Rating: *** (out of 5) Positive Review 'Ice Age: The Meltdown blithely looks on the bright side of life, amassing a screen full of vultures to sing and dance ''Food Glorious Food'' and daring us not to get happy.' - Lisa Schwarzbaum/Entertainment Weekly Negative Review 'Much of the original film's geniality – and all of its pro-environment stumping – has gone missing; what we have instead is a watered-down likeness that curiously turns disaster flick in its too-scary third act.' - Kimberley Jones/Austin Chronicle Content Warning Some mild language and innuendo