Ice Age Parent Guide
A misfit group of prehistoric animals work together to save a human child from an encroaching ice age.
Parent Movie Review
It’s a big, cold world out there and everyone needs a friend—even if they don’t know it. Manfred (voice by Ray Romano) is an ill-tempered wooly mammoth dealing with issues from his past. While the rest of the animal kingdom is moving south, Manny is heading north—away from everybody and everything.
But his solitude is interrupted when he runs into Sid (John Leguizamo). The chatty, slow-moving sloth missed his morning wake-up call and has been left behind in the family tree. After ruining dinner for a couple of testy rhinos, Sid is more than happy to tag along with the really large mammal. To make matters worse, the improbable pair soon stumbles upon a little, lost human. Determined to return the infant to its “herd” before winter sets in, the hairy herbivores accept a questionable offer from Diego (Denis Leary), a smooth-talking saber-tooth tiger who promises to help find the toddler’s parents. However, the crafty carnivore has some dangerous detours planned for the prehistoric do-gooders and their tasty little trust.
While the theory of evolution may still be under debate, this film along with several other recent releases proves that animation has progressed to a whole new epoch. With the help of computer generation, artists have created fantasy worlds in movies like Shrek, Monsters Inc., and Dinosaur. Still, Ice Age animators are quick to note that not all the magic happens inside the mainframe. Using some traditional methods before moving to the processor, these artists bring characters to life with this specialized art form. Visitors to the movie’s official website [www.iceagemovie.com] can watch it all happen.
However, Ice Age is more than technical wizardry. Aided by a passel of gifted actors who lend their voices, the characters face age-old problems like the loss of loved ones, peer rejection, and what to have for dinner. While scenes of cartoon violence may push the comfort level (especially for young children), the lumbering mammoth and his sluggish pal will likely entertain older siblings with lessons on friendship, cooperation and trust.
Directed by Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha. Starring Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary. Running time: 81 minutes. Theatrical release March 11, 2002. Updated July 17, 2017About author
Ice Age
Rating & Content Info
Why is Ice Age rated PG? Ice Age is rated PG by the MPAA for mild peril.
Set in the frigid past, Ice Age tells the story of three unlikely critters that come together to solve a common problem. Although there are several scenes of cartoon violence, the animals learn some important lessons along the way.
Violence: A character falls down mountainside, is chased by an avalanche, squeezed between glaciers, and stepped on by other characters. Family leaves character behind. Characters (with the intent to harm) chase others. Character falls over cliff. Characters plan to steal child and eat it. Characters are rained on, hailed on, and struck by lightening. Characters attack humans; woman appears to die as a result. Unintelligent characters fight amongst themselves, fall off cliffs and into a boiling geyser. Character’s tail starts on fire. Character sets up ambush with intent to kill others. Characters stalk and attack animal, fight ensues. Animal is apparently killed by falling icicles (implied, not seen). Another character appears to be killed during fight.Sexual Content: Characters discuss the idea of mating for life. Character attempts to woo females. Brief comment made about cross-species mating.
Language: Some name calling.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted.
Miscellaneous Concerns: Character steps in animal waste and unintentionally kicks it onto another character’s face. Some taunting occurs between characters. Characters deal with a dirty diaper. Character’s tongue becomes frozen to cold object when he licks it.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Ice Age Parents' Guide
Many animals live in herds, packs or other groups. What are the benefits of this arrangement? Does this work-together principle work for humans too?
During the Ice Age many animals became extinct because they were unable to adapt to changes. As humans, how do we adapt to our physical surroundings? What things can we do to meet other challenges like social and family change?
For more information on the sloth, mammoth, and saber-tooth tiger, check out the Discovery Channel website.
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Ice Age movie is March 14, 2006. Here are some details…
Home Video Notes: Ice Age: Complete Collection [Blu-ray]
Release Date: 7 October 2014
The Ice Age franchise releases in a Complete Collection. Blu-ray copies of the following are included:
- Ice Age
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Home Video Notes: Ice Age
Release Date: 14 March 2006
If you just can’t get enough of the Ice Age herd, than you’ll want to chill out with this Super Cool Family Edition. The 2-disc set includes the feature in both wide and full screen presentations, deleted scenes, and commentary for both the movie and the cuts by director Chris Wedge and co-director Carlos Saldanha. There is also an avalanche of bonus extras, including: Extreme Cool View Version of Ice Age (which combines Scrat’s Frozen Fun Facts with behind-the-scenes clips from the filmmakers and natural history experts), specific scene commentary by John Leguizamo as Sid, Behind the Scenes of Ice Age (an HBO special), Gone Nutty - Scrat’s Missing Adventure (the animated short), Bunny (another animated short with introduction by director Chris Wedge), three multi-angle animation progressions, and six production featurettes. Not to leave the gamers out in the cold, the package also offers DVD-ROM games and activities. And to get you warmed up for the sequel, you can catch a sneak peek of the trailer for Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. The audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.1 Surround) and Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.1 Surround), with subtitles in English and Spanish.
Related home video titles:
In this movie, animals care for a young baby much like Kipling’s classic, The Jungle Book. The animated 1967 Jungle Book and live-action Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story are two adaptations of the novel. The movie Babe features live animals (talking with the aid of human actors) that band together and use their heads to avoid their own extinction.
The other two movies in this franchise are Ice Age 2: The Meltdown and Ice Age: The Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
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