"Ice Ace: The Meltdown"

Directed by:

Carlos Sandanha

Starring: (voices of) Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, and Seann William Scott

MPAA rating: PG-13 (for slight animated violence, slight adult innuendo)

Running time: 91 minutes

Best suited for: the 4-to14year-old set, original "Ice Age" fans

Least suited for: cuttingedge CGI-ophobes

Nuts!

One of the highlights of the original "Ice Age"-an acornfixated squirrel named Scrat- has returned for more nutty antics. Much like the Road Runner, Scrat is a creature of few sounds, but his neurotic, fanatical obsession with the ice age's seemingly last edible acorn is delightfully slapstick. Frankly, I could've watched Scrat frolicking for the film's full running time. But Scrat comes and goes, a lighthearted interlude amid the more serious agenda of prehistoric critters in peril.

This time around, the makers of "Ice Age: The Meltdown" have decided to tell the tale human-free-although the story, like that of its predecessor, continues to rely heavily on morality and principle. The ice packs are melting, and a potpourri of characters seem doomed by rising flood waters unless they can migrate to higher, safer ground.

In a sense, "Ice Age 2" is a preschooler's primer on global warming-and there's a perceptible fear factor running through the film's core that likely won't be lost on more receptive tykes. Despite the laughs (and there are plenty), "Ice Age 2" takes on an adult-themed aura of, well-global survival. A few creatures even bite the big one (nothing graphic, mind you), and it reminds one that CGI animation isn't simply addressing preschool angst anymore. Remember when Bugs Bunny battled Nazis? Well, now woolly mammoths are admonishing us: extinction isn't just for the prehistoric. (Ready for "Ice Age 3: Reviving the Rainforest"? It could happen.)

Regardless of such weighty overtones, "Ice Age 2" remains primarily a kid's film, albeit decent adult fare for much older children-at-heart. The plot and story line are strictly preteen. Woolly mammoth boy meets woolly mammoth girl, boy loses girl . . . you know the rest. There are few twists and turns out of the tundra. But for CGI fans, this uncomplicated journey is its own reward. Woolly mammoth Manny (Ray Romano) reprises his weighty role as leader of an eclectic herd of evolution's castaways. Diego, a saber-toothed tiger (Denis Leary) suddenly realizes his fear of water-of which there is a rapidly increasing amount. And klutzy sloth Sid (John Leguizamo) still can't seem to do anything right, yet finds himself the unwitting deity of a tribe of smaller (and musically talented) sloths. Both Diego and Sid are trying to console Manny, who fears he may be the last of his kind. The hapless Sid has the misguided insight to come up with a medley of catchy, extinction-friendly tunes, attempting to soothe the savage but lonely beast.

The trio eventually comes upon Ellie (Queen Latifah), a female mammoth with a slight image problem. Long ago adopted by possums, Ellie believes she's also a possum, and with her two adopted brothers, Crash and Eddie, she's more content to do possum things than hang with Manny. Yes, even the ice age had its share of relationship issues. The only girl in the whole world and she thinks she's a possum. Often time changes nothing.

Computer animation remains the heart of the film, of course, and "Ice Age" continues to hover close to cutting-edge. There are scenes of giant glacial mountains cracking, of tidal waves ripping through ice valleys-all very impressive, very richly rendered. As eye candy, the film works well enough for me, but with a caveat. CGI has spoiled me. I do hope for even better digital treats right around the evolutionary corner.

In a nutshell: "Ice Age: The Meltdown" is a richly rendered, entertaining story. The plot's strictly for kids, but the laughs are plentiful and crossgenerational, with some subtle innuendo included for adults. The sequel may not add much to the original, but both are a high step above average kiddie fun. This "Ice Age" continues to be a great time for family fun.