Reel Critics

Van Novack

“Ice Age” is the latest computer-generated animated feature to hit the

theaters. Like its predecessors “Toy Story” and last year’s “Monsters,

Inc.,” and “Shreck,” “Ice Age” is a beautifully rendered and often awe

inspiring technological achievement.

The premise of “Ice Age” admittedly sounds uninteresting and

derivative. A woolly mammoth, a sloth, and a saber-toothed tiger team up

to rescue a human baby and return it to its parents. However, this simple

plot only serves as the foundation for what is an extremely entertaining

and visually stunning movie.

While this film will obviously entertain children, writers Michael J.

Wilson and Michael Berg have included enough clever asides and visual

hooks to keep most adults happily engaged. An especially good sequence

is the use of animated cave drawings to explain a key plot point.

As a subtext to the main story, we see a half squirrel, half rat

creature named Scrat struggling to stow away his prized acorn. In the

tradition of Wile E. Coyote, Scrat’s wordless ordeal is absolutely

hilarious and his every movement classically comical. His antics open and

close the film and serve as excellent bookends to the main story.

The vocal performances are first-rate, particularly John Leguizamo as

Sid the sloth. Other performances include Ray Romano as Manfred the

mammoth and Dennis Leary as Diego the saber-toothed tiger.

Computer technology has enhanced animation immeasurably. Viewers

should notice the incredible details of Manfred’s coat, the waving leaves

and branches of trees in the background, or the mist rising from

waterfalls. Depictions of snow, avalanches and fire, once thought

impossible for animators, are beautifully realized here.

“Ice Age” uses a unique palette and style throughout that effectively

sets it apart from other animated films. As would be expected from the

latest entry in this genre, “Ice Age” represents another significant step

forward in animation art.

* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach.