After five movies, it’s safe to assume most fans know the franchise well enough so that the intro isn’t needed. Disney didn’t want to bring Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary back.
Even under the auspices of Disney putting Blue Sky Studios to rest, the Ice Age continues. Instead of continuing in the adventures of Manny and Elle, the mammoths, Diego the sabre-tooth tiger, and Sid the sloth, the focus shifts to the supporting characters of Crash (Vincent Tong) and Eddie (Aaron Harris). These two nutty possums are part of the main cast’s extended family and are Elle’s brothers. A quarter of the film reacquaints viewers of how this unlikely pairing came to be, and while it’s nice to get that recap, the other reintroductions feel unneeded. They remind viewers of the crazy dysfunctional aspect of this group as a whole.
On Disney Plus Day, a lot of new works announced will come flooding into the streaming service next year. I’m more excited for the animated material than the others. Yes, Marvel Entertainment and Star Wars will get their expanded universe treatment, and all I can say is, “What, no more Clone Wars type material? There’s no tease for what the next season of The Bad Batch will entail?”
Out of the entirety of everything’s announced, it’s Chip n’ Dale Rescue Rangers which excites me the most. I’ve always loved their nostalgia laden pulp fiction adventures. It’s going to be a live-action / CGI hybrid work, and I’m okay with that. Ever since their cameo in the updated Ducktales, I’ve been hoping their return isn’t being delayed because of finding replacement voices or rights management.
A thaw is coming for the Ice Age franchise. Interest is melting and if it somehow manages to cling on like The Land Before Time series (now with 14 movies) then maybe another film or two can be chipped out. Whatever the outcome, this fifth outing offers nothing really new to the plate. It’s the same outline. Manny (Ray Romano) is a Mammoth making a life for himself. He once thought he was the last of his species, but in the course of several films, he discovers he is not alone, and the cold wasteland is not as lonely now that he’s paired with a love of his life — and has an extended family. Sid (John Leguizamo) is a sloth and Deigo (Denis Leary) is a saber-tooth tiger who keeps life interesting. Through the course of the first three films, these three have formed a bond where they respectively look out for each other.
Then, there’s the saber-toothed squirrel Scrat (Chris Wedge). He’s an enigma in the series, hardly ever interacting with the protagonists, and all he does is provide hilarious slapstick antics of his love for the acorn. He’s trying to find the best spot to store it, but never has any luck. The humour is starting to pale, and they are not as charming as his earlier attempts. The big reason is because he had to know the lay of the land. To send him to space has to be the worst idea ever. If the Minions, Scrat and Penguins were to compete for the position of number one, Scrat is slipping to bottom place.
Even under the auspices of Disney putting Blue Sky Studios to rest, the Ice Age continues. Instead of continuing in the adventures of Manny and Elle, the mammoths, Diego the sabre-tooth tiger, and Sid the sloth, the focus shifts to the supporting characters of Crash (Vincent Tong) and Eddie (Aaron Harris). These two nutty possums are part of the main cast’s extended family and are Elle’s brothers. A quarter of the film reacquaints viewers of how this unlikely pairing came to be, and while it’s nice to get that recap, the other reintroductions feel unneeded. They remind viewers of the crazy dysfunctional aspect of this group as a whole.
By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)