Ice Age (March 15, 2002)

This is where the Ice Age franchise started (for better or for worse). My first thought while watching is that you can definitely tell the age of this film. Its CGI is nowhere near as polished as later entries in the franchise. You do get used to the style as the film goes on, so it does not distract too much. The trio of Manfred “Manny” the mammoth, Diego the saber-toothed tiger, and Sid the sloth are all great in this initial outing. Usually, Sid annoys me to no end, but here, whether it be that he is toned down or that the others keep him in check better, he is actually funny and occasionally sweet. Manny starts out with a “devil may care” attitude but it slowly sheds revealing his inner insecurities and desires; He is actually a good guy who will put his life on the line for his friends and all he wants in life is to have a family. Mammoths are not supposed to be solitary but many, because of the human hunters, lost his family and has had to fend for himself. The story is where the movie shines, however. I was expecting to dislike the film due to its horrid fourth and fifth entries (both of which I have already reviewed). Manny, Diego, and Sid find a human baby who has been left behind by his tribe. They decide to embark on a journey together to reunite him with his family, racing against the clock to reach them before the blizzard hits and they are separated forever. Diego, however, at the behest of his sabretooth pack leader initially plans to lead them into an ambush. After Manny saves his life, he changes his mind and decides to help them defeat his pack. This is the only movie that I remember with the presence of humans which is a nice tough. The whole film feels fresh, with jokes mostly hitting their mark as well as some genuine heartwarming moments. Overall, Ice Age is well worth watching as it is overall a stellar production, showing that this concept, when done right with new and unique ideas can be great. It is only due to neglect and oversaturation that the Ice Age franchise has lost its appeal.

Final Rating: 7.5/10