"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" is a 2009 American animated adventure comedy film, the third installment in the popular Ice Age franchise. Produced by Blue Sky Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox, this film follows the adventures of a lovable group of prehistoric animals. Directed by Carlos Saldanha and co-directed by Mike Thurmeier, the screenplay was crafted by Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss, and Yoni Brenner, based on a story by Jason Carter Eaton. The film features the return of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Chris Wedge, with Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, and Queen Latifah reprising their roles from the previous installment. New to the cast is Simon Pegg, who voices Buck, a one-eyed weasel.
Plot Overview
The narrative centers around Manny and Ellie, who are preparing for the birth of their baby. Manny's overprotectiveness causes tension, particularly with Diego, who feels his predatory instincts waning and contemplates leaving the herd. Sid the Sloth, feeling left out, stumbles upon three abandoned eggs underground and decides to adopt them. These eggs hatch into baby Tyrannosaurus Rexes, leading to a series of chaotic events. The mother T. rex eventually arrives and takes Sid and her babies back to the underground world beneath the ice, prompting the rest of the herd to embark on a rescue mission.
In this hidden world, they encounter a host of dinosaurs and meet Buck, a weasel who has dedicated his life to hunting Rudy, a fearsome albino Baryonyx. As they navigate this perilous landscape, they face numerous challenges, culminating in a thrilling rescue and a heartwarming conclusion where Manny and Ellie welcome their newborn daughter, Peaches.
Characters and Voice Cast
The film boasts a stellar voice cast:
- Ray Romano as Manny: The woolly mammoth and the herd's leader.
- John Leguizamo as Sid: The quirky ground sloth.
- Denis Leary as Diego: The saber-toothed tiger.
- Simon Pegg as Buck: The adventurous weasel.
- Queen Latifah as Ellie: Manny's wife.
- Seann William Scott as Crash: One of the opossum brothers.
- Josh Peck as Eddie: The other opossum brother.
- Tara Strong as Peaches: Manny and Ellie's newborn daughter.
- Chris Wedge as Scrat: The saber-toothed squirrel.
Production Insights
Blue Sky Studios opted for a "what-if" adventure theme for this installment, introducing dinosaurs into the mix. This allowed for creative freedom in designing vibrant and imaginative prehistoric creatures. The choice of a lost world theme provided a rich backdrop for the film's visual storytelling, making the dinosaurs a colorful addition to the Ice Age universe.
Release and Home Media
"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" was released on July 1, 2009, becoming the first film in the series and the first 20th Century Fox film to be released in 3D. The film saw special screenings on Father's Day, June 21, 2009, capitalizing on its themes of fatherhood.
The home media release included standard DVD and Blu-ray versions, with a variety of special features such as games, deleted scenes, and making-of featurettes. A Blu-ray 3D version was also made available, further enhancing the viewing experience with advanced technology.
Box Office Performance
The film was a commercial success, grossing $886.7 million worldwide against a budget of $90 million. It ranked as the third-highest-grossing film of 2009, the highest-grossing animated film of that year, and the most successful installment in the Ice Age series. The film's international appeal was particularly strong, surpassing "Finding Nemo" to become the highest-grossing animated film internationally at the time.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics, holding a 46% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 50 on Metacritic. While praised for its animation, particularly the depiction of dinosaurs, the story was seen as tired and monotonous by some reviewers. However, it fared well with audiences, earning an average grade of "A−" from CinemaScore.
Notable reviews include:
- Roger Ebert: Gave the film three and a half stars out of four, highlighting it as the best of the three films at the time and praising its use of 3D technology.
- Keith Phipps (The A.V. Club): Gave a C+ rating, noting a departure from the series' commitment to its era.
- Carrie Rickey (The Philadelphia Inquirer): Appreciated the animation but criticized the flat storyline and indifferent voicework.
- James Dyer (Empire): Awarded three out of five stars, praising Simon Pegg's performance as Buck but noting the series' aging characters.
Accolades
The film received nominations at the 8th Visual Effects Society Awards for "Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture" and "Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture."
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - The 4-D Experience
A 14-minute 4-D version of the film, featuring sensory effects such as moving seats, wind, mist, and scents, premiered in May 2012. This immersive experience has been shown at various 4-D theaters worldwide, including the San Diego Zoo and Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia.
Video Game Adaptation
A tie-in video game, published by Activision, allows players to explore the underground world of dinosaurs and solve puzzles across more than 15 levels. This game provides fans with an interactive way to engage with the film's characters and storyline.
Sequels
The success of "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" paved the way for two more sequels: "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012) and "Ice Age: Collision Course" (2016), both of which continued the adventures of the beloved prehistoric herd.
Conclusion
"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" stands out as a significant entry in the Ice Age franchise, bringing a fresh and adventurous twist to the series with its dinosaur-themed storyline. Despite mixed critical reception, its box office success and enduring popularity among fans underscore its impact. The film's creative animation, memorable characters, and thrilling plot make it a notable installment that continues to entertain audiences worldwide.