Ice Age: Continental Drift

by Nathan Olivieri | June 26, 2012 10:07 | Edited June 26, 2012 10:08

Despite impressive visuals and voice work, this fourth instalment feels uninspired and unnecessary.

In the face of Pixar releasing their innovatively bold new feature Brave a mere week ago, the emergence of the fourth film in this increasingly dwindling franchise seems to pale in comparison. Interestingly, though, the third Ice Age instalment rose to become the fourth highest grossing animated film of all time, so a further foray was inevitable. However, the real question was how much more could the series, a decade on from its inception, honestly offer on its fourth visit; and in short, it seems very little.

After an amusing opening sequence involving the ubiquitous sabre-toothed squirrel Scrat, the titular tectonic disturbance separates the trusted trio of Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary) and Sid (John Leguizamo) from their herd and family. Stranded in the ocean, they must battle a variety of seafaring obstacles, including the clutches of a pirate ship, helmed by the malevolent Captain Gutt (Game of Thrones' Peter Dinklage), in order to navigate the path home.

There is nothing particularly original or new about Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. The jokes are much the same; there is little character development; even the introduction of the ‘be-comfortable-with-who-you-are' themes associated with Manny's teenage daughter seem superficially drawn. The film's greatest strength is its superior voice talent, namely Romano's trademark deadpan delivery and Dinklage's impressively sinister Gutt. The visuals are also stunning, particularly the swooping scenes of said continental drift, though they cannot compensate for a distinct lack of inventive rebirth in the franchise.

The filmmakers have certainly followed a commonsensical natural progression with the series, yet to no creative avail. Whilst the kids may still enjoy the vividness of the ride, the adults will almost certainly come to expect better. Perhaps this may be a sign that, after what was initially an original and enjoyable premise, it may not be so sad to see Ice Age become extinct.