Movie Review: Children will Enjoy ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ Despite Film's Failings

"Ice Age: Continental Drift" opens today at in Bethlehem. The film is showing at noon, 2:15, 4:30, 6:45 and 9:00 and in 3D at 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00 and 9:15. 

Will Scrat finally secure that cursed acorn? Will his pursuit have world-changing consequences? Find out in “Ice Age: Continental Drift.”

Megan Lehmann of The Hollywood Reporter described “Ice Age: Continental Drift” as a movie children will love despite its failings.

“It’s familiar, drawn-out shtick, and the humor lacks the subtlety of the first and best ‘Ice Age,’ but there are some visually inventive high points,” Lehmann wrote.

Simon Reynolds of Digital Spy agreed that the fourth installment of the “Ice Age” series covers little new ground.

“Ultimately, 'Ice Age 4' feels very much like it's a sequel for a franchise running out of steam. The jokes don't quite stick anymore, too many new characters are introduced (including mammoths voiced by Nicki Minaj and Glee's Heather Morris) in a bid to inject new life into the story, and there's little real excitement beyond the 3D CGI spectacle,” he wrote.

Here’s what other critics had to say about “Ice Age: Continental Drift”:

“The film spends more time on its fairly impressive ocean going action and an abundance of 3D-enhanced slapstick comedy —including the familiar interludes of squirrel-rat Scrat and his elusive acorns — that will amuse kids if not their parents.” – John Hazelton, Screen Daily

“It's all sight gags and action beats, which tends to cover the shortcomings these assembly-line farces are infamous for. And at a brisk 94 minutes, it's less reliant on charm-starved chatter among its increasingly over-stuffed voice cast.” – Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel 

Ray Ramano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Chris Wedge are among the actors lending their voice talents to “Ice Age: Continental Drift.”

The movie is rated PG for mild, rude humor and action/peril sequences.