OK for kids 6+
3-D sequel is fun but also more intense than past films.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the third installment in the Ice Age franchise is likely to appeal to kids (even the preschool set) as much as the first two. That said, it's the first one in 3-D, so some scenes -- especially the ones featuring dinosaurs -- may be a bit more intense. There's lots of cartoonish violence, mostly involving Scrat and his new female friend (they also flirt and kiss, which is the extent of the movie's romance). Language is mild, but there's some scatological humor ("barf" and "poop"), as well as suspense concerning the main characters' ability to get out of harm's way.
- Famiies can talk about the movie's central message about having an unconventional herd/family. What defines a family? And should it matter what a person looks like in order to be their friend?
- Families can also discuss how the violence compares to that of other movies meant for young kids. Was the 3-D too intense?
- Also, how did some of the characters act differently than you expected, like the weasel Buck and the mama dinosaur? And even Ellie, though she's pregnant, is no weakling. How does her character portray females?
The good stuff
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Educational value: The movie may spark a real interest in prehistoric animals, particularly dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and sloths.
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Messages: The movie offers a positive message about what it takes to be a "herd" or family -- no one gets left behind, new members are welcome, and everyone has a place.
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Role models: Ellie -- a strong female character who knows when to assert herself despite protestations from her male partner and friends that she's not capable of defending herself -- is a lovely role model. Buck, although a loner, sacrifices a future with friends to defend them. A dinosaur and a sloth learn to care for each other, showing that affection doesn't depend on what you look like on the outside.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Lots of cartoonish violence -- some humorous (all of the acorn antics with Scrat, the baby T-Rexes swallowing their friends, etc.) and some potentially frightening (various dinosaurs chase the protagonists, threatening to injure them). For the most part, the dinosaurs don't do any damage except to Buck, who lost an eye to Rudy, the meanest, biggest dinosaur in the movie. The audience doesn't actually see Buck lose his eye, but Rudy is a scary-looking dinosaur, and the raptors are intense as well. The characters deal with several close calls.
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Sexy stuff: The male and female Scrat flirt with each other and eventually pair off. Manny and Ellie, now mates, are expecting a baby and are quite sweet to each other, hugging and locking trunks. A couple of jokes involving Sid mistaking an animal's gender -- in one case he tries to "milk" an animal that turns out to be male; in another, he thinks a baby mammoth is a boy until Diego points out that "that's a tail."
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Language: Mild insults (usually directed at Sid) and some scatological jokes about the dinosaurs ("poop," "barf," etc.).
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Ice Age: heats up your funny bone by jimjoel49
What makes the Ice Age movies better than other animated feature film is the writing. It is witty that keep you laughing throughout the film. The characters are a joy to watch how their personality relates to each other. The animation is the next step up that gives us wonderful eye candy. All actors give us their best performances. So far this is the best animated feature film this year.
5
Best Ice Age movie ever! by ella-bella
Great story, and great characters. My dad and I loved it. We laughed through most of this movie! Just go see it!!!
5
Ice Age 3 by rudy90
It was great! I couldn't decide which I liked better, this one or the original. I thought the third Ice Age was super but I really liked the premise behind the first movie with the tribe losing their baby. The second movie was o.k. but you should really check out Dawn of the Dinosaurs!
4
Ice Age 3 by philliezgirl
I went in thinking i was going to hate this movie since i never saw the other ones. and surprisingly enjoyed this movie!! has a cute story line, funny, and my daughter loved it! she actually sat for the entire film!!
3
Buck and Scrat saved the day by formalpenguin
I'm giving this a so-so+. Loved Ice Age 1. Ice Age 2 was above average. This was was definently geared for the kids due to the appeal of the Dinosaurs and the slapstick. Humor was only fair and no lesson or emotional gratification. Was a little disturbed by the writers choice to show one of the main characters (Diego) hunting. I thought it was done in slightly poor taste (unlike in Lion King), on a subject matter better off not touched upon. I'm not a fan of showing a "heroic' character being a hunting meat-eater. This meat-eater theme also pops up in the movie later. The overall "family" plot is ok but not overly interesting. If were not for Scrat and the very funny Buck this would have been a better straight to DVD. Scrat and Buck you saved the day.
5
SOOO GREAT!! by Prettymama313
This movie was absolutlly awesome!!! I took my 3 year old son and he sat in his seat the whole time!!! For this being the 3rd movie it was great!! Lots of action throughout the whole movie!! There was not a bad part in this movie!!!
MUST SEE MOVIE OF THE YEAR!
2
Ice Age 3 by shartece
The kids ages 8 and 13 loved it. After the first 15 minutes I thought it was horrible. I liked the first 2.I thought this one was unnecessary
5
so cute by mysteryeyes1000
this movie was so cute it put a huge smile on my face. not only that but it was wicked funny
4
Not Ice Age 1, but still worth it by monica67
The third Ice Age, like the second, doesn't quite make the standard of the first one on the funny scale, but it IS funny - perhaps funnier for adults than for children. Many jokes were references young children had no hope of getting, but they got me at least to chuckle, and more often laugh out loud. At some points, I felt I was enjoying myself more than my niece!
But the movie started with what felt like a more serious storyline, and there were fewer chuckles for the first half hour or so. I also felt some of the story was a bit scarier for the six-year-old with me. She didn't shield her eyes - but at one point, she did get ready to.
The new character Buck was enjoyable, however stereotyped he was, but Ellie fell a bit flat. The squirrels didn't quite do it for me, although my niece got quite a kick out of them.
In the end, the movie was for the six-year-old, and I can only assume she enjoyed it since she talked about the movie the rest of the day until she fell asleep!
4
Ice Age by LadyBug630
I enjoyed this movie. The animation was good, and there was rarely a dull moment. Lots of action and obviously very kid friendly. Also, there are some adult jokes thrown in there so the parents won't get bored if you're taking your children. It was a very feel good movie.