 Tuesday, July 8, 2009
Mary Pickford Theater
Cathedral City, California
Review by Desert Cities Guides Movie Guide Nick Jones
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” is the third film in the animated trilogy about prehistoric animals who form an interesting interspecies herd. The film revolves around a woolly mammoth couple, Manny and Ellie (Ray Romano and Queen Latifah) who are about to have a child; an aging sabretooth tiger, Diego (Denis Leary), who isn’t ready to settle down yet; Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) who yearns to also be a part of motherhood; and the newly introduced character, and perhaps the savior of this film, Buck, the eye-patch wearing, swashbuckling weasel (Simon Pegg). And of course, Scrat the squirrel, on his never ending quest to secure the acorn.
 The film kicks off with Manny and Ellie preparing for their child, which leaves the rest of the gang wondering about their own fate. Diego doesn’t seem to be in top shape anymore, and is thinking he’s just not ready to settle down yet. While Diego decides it’s time to leave and go find adventure, Sid is bummed out on not being a parent himself. Finding three eggs in an underground cave he believes to be abandoned, he takes them home with him, not knowing that they are, in fact, dinosaur eggs — T-Rex eggs to be specific.
 Soon after, mamma T-Rex comes looking for her babies, scoops them up with Sid, and disappears back underground, which starts everyone on a chase leading them to a secret underground world where dinosaurs continue to live and flourish. Helpless against dinosaurs, and facing certain death, they are saved by Buck, a weasel who has been living amongst them underground, hunting the legendary monster dinosaur, Rudy.
This installment in the “Ice Age” movies focuses more on action and less dialogue. A big part of that is contributed by more screen time for the hyperactive Scrat and the newest obstacle in his quest for the acorn, Scratte, a female squirrel.
 The film's idea for a “lost world” obviously isn’t new, and I found myself wondering how exactly there is any light down there at all, let alone enough for its jungle setting and lush vegetation to grow. But with the willing away your suspension of disbelief, you can put these thoughts aside long enough to sit through the film and let your inner child enjoy it.
The film seems to be just another sequel, with its aim obviously for younger children. The movie does have its moments and its laughs, most notably with Buck. But in general, “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” doesn’t live up to the original.
The Desert Cities Guides Movie Guide rates “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” two-and-a-half Palm Trees.
For more about “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” click here.
To find out where “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaur” is showing in the desert, click here.
 Desert Cities Guides Movie Guide Nick Jones is a film critic and writer. Originally from the East Coast, Nick followed his family out to California and he now lives and reviews movies here in the Coachella Valley. Nick covers film events in Palm Springs and throughout the Coachella Valley.
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