Edwards Design Solutions

Rated PG for some mild rude humor and peril, 1hr. 34min.

The family and I just got back from seeing this movie in 3-D. Blue Sky just keeps getting it right with the Ice Age franchise! When other filming houses are pumping out toilet humor and swearing-lite flicks, it is a joy to see a movie that may have a wee bit of subtle innuendo (for the adults) and nothing more. If it weren’t for the subtleties and the copious amounts of peril, this film would easily be granted a G rating.

This movie revisits our friendly herd of misfits, Diego, Manny, Ellie, Sid and the ‘possum brothers. All original actor voices have been retained and it is nice to see (or is that hear). Without giving too much away of the movie, I can tell you that it has a strong theme of relationships. Primarily family, with a focus on parenting. The peril I mentioned before, is that Sid and the gang are “hunted” by a meat eating dinosaur that is larger than (and feared by) a Tyrannosaurus Rex! The herd has a few new members added, even if only temporarily, and Scrat even gains a love interest that becomes a full-scale love triangle with an acorn! Just be prepared to laugh……a lot!

Our first venture into the digital 3-D world, was with Bolt. Now Ice Age has really solidified (in my mind) that this is a new version of an old idea, that is here to stay. What a very beautiful and cool way to watch the movie. The bummer is, that the theater charges $3 more for the 3-D; but it is well worth it.

G – 1hr. 40min.

The kids loved this movie. I really enjoyed it too. There is a warning to parents that the theaters continue to play inappropriate previews for the age group that kids movies are intended for. This is either an oversight or possibly a planned infiltration of the innocence of today’s innocents.

After the barrage of TV commercials and previews, the movie opens with a somewhat traditional “Once Upon a Time…”. It has the feel of a Shrek-ish type of fairy tale, but the story and artwork are perfect for the period. The artwork is very reminiscent of 15th Century Early Renaissance paintings, but it’s still fun and a fresh feel as this look has not been used in digital animation before.

Without spoiling the movie for you, I will simply say that Desperaux is a mouse that doesn’t behave like other mice. He doesn’t scurry or flinch in fear. He doesn’t realize that he’s smaller than other mice. He is brave, true and chivalrous to a fault. His un-mouse-like behavior gets him into trouble. Continue reading »