Ice Age 2 Fun for All Ages

By Rachel Nowery
Being a big kid at heart, I love children’s movies. From the creation of Mickey Mouse and Snow White by Walt Disney to DreamWorks creation of the loveable ogre, Shrek, kid’s movies are just awesome for not only kids, but also kids of all ages. “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown” is no exception. The movie is right on par with the 2002 original, brisk, pleasant and loaded with slapstick that should keep audiences laughing.

The vocal trio of the original, two thirds droll and dour with Ray Ramano (Manny the Mammoth) and Denis Leary (Diego the Sabbortooth tiger), and one third babbling whirlwind, John Leguizamo (Sid the Sloth), is smartly enlivened through the newest addition of Queen Latifah (Ellie the Mammoth).

But it’s those moments with Scrat, whose bleats, grunts, howls, and yelps are voiced with inarticulate glee by “Ice Age” director Chris Wedge, that are the most memorable, just as they are in the original flick.

Scrat stars in the opening sequence and was greeted with laughter and applause from the audience. This little part-squirrel, part-rodent creature is the Darth Vader of this franchise; the supporting player who upstages the top-billed talent with his manic antics to secure his precious acorn.

Ice Age 2, in most people’s and critic’s opinion was better than the first film. Granted, in the movie there is more use of profanity than in the first one. The movie is a basic “feel good” movie. This is a wonderful movie to spend a Saturday and take the whole family to see.