"Mix loveable old friends, spirited new characters and an exciting adventure together, all in 3D, and it's a positive thumbs-up for the latest in the feel-good sub-zero saga!"

Are you ready for adventure; for danger; for death? Are you ready for the third episode in the Ice Age series? Boldly going where no other mammals dare to tread, the lovable bunch of sub-zero heroes, Manny, Ellie and Diego, are led from the comfort of their icy surroundings, as they know it, into a dangerous, but tropical and submerged dinosaur world below the ice layers, all because Sid the wreckless sloth reckons he has he has the superior parenting skills of Jolie or Madge. Yes, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs does offer more adventure, animated theatrics and thrilling chases - and all in 3D, even though the plot isn't exactly rocket science. But try as hard as any film critic might to knock the latest tale, the saga's infectious, slapstick fun brings out the kid in all of us, and melts any cynical old heart. -----------

Episode 3 offers a renewed sense of hope, as we await the birth of the mammoths' new sprog. It's the logical next step in the series, after making lifelong friends in the first, and finding 'the one' in the second. It's also blatantly obvious that the idyllic calm is about to be punctured by the most trouble-prone of the bunch, Sid, who discovers three large eggs in a cave, and feeling rejected by 'surrogate parents' Manny and Ellie who are busy with preparations for their new bundle of joy, decides to create his own family. Elated with his adopted offspring, who cause havoc at Manny's new ice-sculpted playground for his kid-to-be by swallowing the other kids, Sid gets a visit from their irate biological mother - a large T-Rex who is not amused and whisks her young - and Sid - off to the tropical climate. This triggers the start of the rescue adventure and the realisation that the sub-zero pals are all one happy family who need each other. As the Musketeers said; "All for one and one for all"! It's the equivalent of that rally cry which grabs you and keeps you rooting for the animals and the plot. And Scrat the hapless squirrel still chases his illusive nut, but has some stiff competition from a female vision of squirrel beauty - complete with perfectly manicured talons. --------

In addition, a new Ice Age star is born: Introducing Buck, top weasel for both adults and the kids, alike. Talent flavour of the day/month/year, new L.A. resident Simon Pegg is - as ever - hilarious voicing the part, sounding like an animated 'Jack Sparrow' weasel (complete with pirate eyepatch) who leads the loveable herd to safety from the dinosaurs. Buck provides the adult gags, whilst sparking a nostalgic, adventurous 'Peter Pan spirit' in all us older viewers - cue the childish 'yukky broccoli' moment. It's also exciting to see the endearing characters turn adventurers in this third episode - in both the 'other worlds' and parenthood sense - rather than pace the snowy terrain like in films past. The ancient hidden world under the ice is reminiscent of all the exciting underwater worlds that have yet to be discovered in our oceans, too. ---------

As 3D experiences go, some of the effects did appear soft focused at times. Although the animals' fur movement is not on a par with Pixar's impressive Monsters Inc., it is, nevertheless, realistic enough to be convincing. 3D also helps enhance the action sequences, such as the rollercoaster rides through the dinosaur undergrowth on the back of a dinosaur. The 3D effects are not over-powering, or detract from the pleasure, which also means that 2D viewers will not lose any of the impact if viewed in this way. In fact, you could argue that the 3D is more of a fancy gimmick, but a nice one to introduce and keep in the race with, considering DreamWorks promises of 3D-only films from now on... ---------

What the kid says: Jack (10 years old): Best and funniest line of the film goes to Buck with, "Pop goes the weasel!" Loved the new character, and found him the funniest. Episode 3 is a definite improvement on the second film for adventure and more animals. The 3D viewing experience was a comfortable one, but doing the film in 3D didn't actually add anything extra to the enjoyment of it - it could have easily been watched in 2D as well. ----------

The verdict: Mix loveable old friends, spirited new characters and an exciting adventure together, all in 3D, and it's a positive thumbs-up for the latest in the feel-good sub-zero saga! -------

Synopsis ------

Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while, maybe, finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth; Diego the Sabre-toothed tiger wonders if he's growing too "soft" hanging with his pals, and Sid the sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs. ---------

On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna, run amuck - and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck. ------

Film Facts --------

Official site: http://www.iceage3.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 1st July 2009

Directors: Carlos Saldanha, Michael Thurmeier

Cast: Ray Romano ('Manfred 'Manny' the Mammoth' (voice)), John Leguizamo ('Sid' (voice)), Denis Leary ('Diego' (voice)), Simon Pegg ('Buck' (voice)), Queen Latifah ('Ellie' (voice)), Seann William Scott ('Crash' (voice)), Josh Peck ('Eddie' (voice)), Chris Wedge ('Scrat' (voice)), Atticus Shaffer ('Animal Boy' (voice)), Joey King ('Beaver' (voice))

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Certificate: U

Run-time: 96 mins

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