|
Phubbs -> RE: Ice Age (22/7/2012 6:58:51 AM)
|
Ice Age (2002)
Possibly the best and most original animated film since 'Toy Story' and it had nothing to do with either CGI giants Pixar or Dreamworks.
To be fair the actual animation of this film is a lot more basic than most other top animated flicks. The film still looks good but has a slightly more Wanna Bros, Merry Melodies look to it in my opinion, hinting at Chuck Jones a little maybe. Backdrops are nice but slightly minimalistic without much detail, same could be said for the main characters also. Of course it could also be simply down to the quality and skill of Blue Sky not being quite on the same level as the big boys.
Obviously aimed at kids so one can't knock the really sappy babyish plot line. Like other CGI flicks it has been made so adults can enjoy also but end of the day the story is silly and juvenile with a mushy happy ending because its for kids.
Again to be really really honest the film is rather average if it wasn't for two simple elements, and they are 'Scrat' and 'Sid'. 'Sid' voiced by Leguizamo is a truly likeable guy that looks cute for the kiddies but gets good laughs for the older folk. Love the lisp Leguizamo used for this guys voice, gives him a crazy Daffy Duck likeness which can't be bad right. Easily the best character out of the main trio and he does have some good lines along with 'Manny' the Mammoth. The saber-tooth tigers are pretty much you regular dastardly bad guys with cliched voices. Leary was an odd choice for 'Diego' (strange name choice too) but his calm quiet tones simmer with deception pleasantly.
I should also add that we may have found a use for Ray Romano's voice which doesn't annoy after five minutes. Yep Romano's voice actually fits the character of 'Manny' perfectly.
For me and I'm sure many others the whole film revolves around the high octane antics of 'Scrat'. His everlasting quest to get a hold of that darn acorn is clearly the highlight and saviour for the film, without this it would of been much much duller. I saw this crazy little guy in the original trailers and even then he lured you in despite the babyish look to the rest of the film, obviously the makers knew this and pushed it.
I think the little subplot that runs through the film is genius and probably the best looking sequences in the film. Just the right amount to keep you wanting more and staying for the whole film.
This is a highly popular franchise and I do see why, I enjoyed this film in places but others it did drag a touch. Kids will love it completely whilst adults will probably like segments, myself I loved 'Sid' and 'Scrat' but found the rest to be flat. It does pull on the heart strings at times which is good and I guess you could say its a feel good film even though it can be a tad bleak at times.
Still no 'Toy Story' beater but one of the best offerings around, maybe more for younger kids than you might like.
|
|
|
|
