What The Critics Say

"A sequel with more humor, topicality, intelligence and appeal [than the original]." Lawrence Toppman CHARLOTTE OBSERVER "The movie still retains the goofy charm, stylish visuals and attention to character of its fine 2002 predecessor." Ella Taylor L.A. WEEKLY "Better than the original! Scrat the saber-toothed squirrel once again steals the film...love that squirrel!" John Venable SUPERCALA.COM "Scrat once again steals the show" Sean McBride SEAN THE MOVIE GUY "The production team have managed to surpass their first effort with this delightful sequel "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown" in which every animal character is upstaged by that crazy little Scrat. New characters to meet, a hint of romance and global warming makes this a must see for all the family. "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown" gets my stamp of approval. A mammoth stamp of approval!" Richard Surfield THE MOVIE PAGES "Ice Age: The Meltdown is a rarity, like the last of the woolly mammoths: a sequel that's as delightful as the original." Sue Pierman MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL "a smarter and funnier adventure" Sean O'Connell FILMCRITIC.COM "A raucously fun, fluid follow-up with an ecological message." Luke Sader HOLLYWOOD REPORTER "A frolicsome adventure for kids that celebrates diversity, facing one's fears, and relying on each other in troubled times." Frederic and Mary Ann SPIRITUALITY AND PRACTICE

The Inside Story

""Ice Age: The Meltdown" is not just a good sequel; it's faster, funnier, and just plain better than the original." Angela Baldassarre SYMPATICO.CA

Those sub-zero, loveable heroes from the worldwide blockbuster CGI film "Ice Age", Manny the woolly mammoth, Sid the sloth, Diego the saber-toothed tiger, and the hapless prehistoric squirrel/rat known as Scrat are back again in their latest adventure "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown". Released in 2002, "Ice Age" captured the minds and hearts of cinemagoers of all age and is set to do the same with this delightful, and at times down right hilarious sequel which is sure to broaden its fan base thus leaving the way open for another successful sequel. "The film’s success was largely due to the fact that audiences loved the characters," says executive producer Christopher Meledandri. "They bonded with Manny, Sid and Diego and laughed at Scrat." This time round the prehistoric creatures are enjoying the effects of global warming as the ice melts to reveal a new landscape. While there are some 'serious' moments when Manny the Woolly Mammoth goes in search of a mate, the film is very much still based around the true friendship forged between Manny, Sid and Diego in the first edition and the crazy antics of that acorn hunting little critter known as Scrat, who by the way manages to be a real scene stealer when ever he is on the screen. I was lucky enough to see "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown" at the Twentieth Century Fox Trade Day in Adelaide. With a good mix of young children and adults in the audience I can report that, judging from both the laughter that rang out through the session and the feedback afterward, this sequel is destined to become a winner! Of course making a sequel is never an easy job and the success rate of sequels is not all that high. The team asked themselves "Where could the characters go from where we left them in the first film?" The answer? "They decided that each character would experience significant individual growth, helped along the way by their friends." To do that they had to come up with some aspects for each of the four main characters. For Manny, it would entail "dealing with the pain of having lost his family years earlier. In the new story, he wonders if he will ever find a family – or love – again." Sid, the whacky critter "who in the first film was the target of everyone’s jokes and was never taken seriously, yearns for respect – and he just might get it." The tough and fearless Diego has an unexpected problem that some in the audience will relate to. With the huge meltdown of the ice and snow, Diego discovers he suffers from a fear of water! The team faced a really big problem when it came to expanding the role of Scrat. "Initially envisioned as having a small part in "Ice Age", the character’s explosive popularity in the film’s first teaser trailer led the filmmakers to significantly expand his role." The good news only gets 'gooder' for in this sequel Scrat takes to the screen with a larger presence which I can personally guarantee is so funny. "Audiences tuned into Scrat right away because everyone relates to an underdog. Now that we’ve given him new dimensions for the second film, we expect an even bigger response to Scrat," explains Chris Wedge. "Carlos really stretched and pushed the character," says Executive Producer/President of Twentieth Century Fox Animation Christopher Meledandri. "Scrat is still going after the nut, but his attitudes and expressions of frustration change. He becomes more integrated into the story; a big step forward for him." And who is Carlos? Carlos Saldanha who has moved into the directors chair for this edition while Chris Wedge has taken a role as Executive Producer and continues on as the voice of Scrat. Voice? You know what I mean! And the former director was only to happy to give Carlos a big wrap. "Carlos knows every aspect of this story and of these characters. He’s been at my side at Blue Sky Studios for ten years." The original 'cast'members of Manny, Sid and Diego are joined by some new creatures in "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown". Manny has reached that time when he needs someone special to share his life with. But everyone he knows hasn't seen another Mammoth for ages. Could he be the only Mammoth left in the world? He decides to find out for himself. "I love Manny as a character, and I love playing him", says Ray Romano. "His values and spirit are terrific. He’s a curmudgeon with a big chip on his shoulder and a tough exterior. But underneath that, he’s all warm and fuzzy; for a mammoth, at least." That brings me to the Ellie factor. When Manny meets Ellie, he soon learns the path to love is not always an easy one. "Ellie gives Manny a twinkle in his eye. But unfortunately she’s a bit ‘off’, so it’s not smooth sailing," Romana said. "You couldn’t just have Manny and Ellie come together and have them fall in love right away," producer Lori Forte points out. "The more conflict there is, the funnier it is." How right Lori Forte is. Creating Ellie also posed some challenges for the production team. To differentiate Ellie from Manny, and give her a more feminine quality, the filmmakers gave her rounder shapes, less bulk, a fun hairdo and a lighter, reddish color tone. Now all they had to do was find the right voice to play opposite Ray Romano's Manny. "We had to consider how she would sound opposite Ray Romano," says Saldanha. "In addition, we wanted someone with a voice that had strength, independence, empathy and humor. Queen Latifah embodied all these qualities." Now while all this sounds just perfect, there is a small problem. Make that two small problems. You see Ellie has baggage. That baggage is two very naughty possums. Even worse, Ellie too has been on her own and she actually thinks she is a possum too! "Ellie is just the sweetest, lovable lump that you've ever seen. But she’s, well, she’s a little strange. A little aloof. And a little confused about her identity," Queen Latifah revealed. "You see, Ellie thinks she's a possum. But she’s really a woolly mammoth. That’s real confusion!" Playing her possum 'brothers' are two real stars. The first is that crazy young man who is known the world over as Steve Stifler, Seann William Scott. The second is a young man who has been performing as a standup comedian since the age of eight and has appeared in film and television, Josh Peck. "I became enamored with performing when my mom took me to plays and comedy clubs on a regular basis," notes the niniteen year old 'veteran Peck. "She’s hilarious, so I guess I come by it naturally" Eddie and Crash are totally out of control and fear absolutely nothing, including Diego. Director Carlos Saldanha says that, "individually, Scott and Peck are “free spirited, funny, and high-energy actors. Together, they produced magic. Saldanha captured this magic "by putting them together in the recording booth. A rarity in animated feature filmmaking." Saldanha revealed more about these loveable larrikins noting, "Crash and Eddie will try any stunt. The crazier, the better. They’re no-holds-barred in actions and humor, and that gives a director and animator so much to work with." Sean William Scott hadn't seen the original "Ice Age" until he got hold of the DVD. "The Ice Age 2 The Meltdown script was fun and I was looking forward to being a part of it," he says. "But when I saw "Ice Age" on DVD, it took the experience to a whole new level." The King of Late Night talk shows in the USA Jay Leno also enjoyed the "Ice Age 2" experience. "I had a great time voicing Fast Tony," relates Leno. "He has the amazing energy, and scruples, of a high-powered used car salesman. He’ll take anything, even a potential cataclysm, and use it to his advantage." One last character I'd like to introduce to you is the Lone Gunslinger Vulture voiced by Will Arnett, who stars in the Emmy ® winning sitcom "Arrested Development". You'll have to see the film to discover the role the Lone Gunslinger Vulture plays but here's a clue. In the film he and a chorus of vultures sing the song "Food, Glorious Food", from the '60s Broadway musical and Oscar®-winning film, "Oliver". Yes folks, there's a lot of fun and adventure to experience in "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown" and I hope this little 'taste' of some of the aspects of the film have convinced you that this sequel is reallyworth seeing. After all, I'm giving it "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown": "A mammoth stamp of approval!. Voice Cast & Crew Bytes "ICE AGE 2 - THE MELTDOWN" stars the voices of.......
Ray Romano ["Ice Age", "Welcome To Mooseport", "Eulogy" and "Grilled"]; John Leguizamo ["Moulin Rouge!", "Collateral Damage", "Assault On Precinct 13" and "Land of the Dead"]; Denis Leary ["Two If by Sea", "The Thomas Crown Affair", "Bad Boy" and "Ice Age"]; Queen Latifah ["Bringing Down The House", "Barbershop 2: Back in Business", "Taxi" and "Beauty Shop"]; Seann William Scott ["Final Destination", "American Pie 1, 2 & 3", "Welcome to the Jungle" and "The Dukes of Hazzard"]; Jay Leno ["Collision Course", "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story", "Robots" and "Tales of the Rat Fink"] and Chris Wedge ["Ice Age", "Gone Nutty" and "Robots"] as Scrat.
"ICE AGE 2 - THE MELTDOWN" was .......
directed by Carlos Saldanha ["Ice Age" and "Robots"]; screenplay by Peter Gaulke ["Say It Isn't So" and "Black Knight"] and Gerry Swallow ["Say It Isn't So" and "Black Knight"]; original music by John Powell ["The Italian Job", "The Bourne Supremacy", "Robots" and "Mr & Mrs Smith"] orchestrator Brad Dechter ["Sin City", "Mr & Mrs Smith", "Batman Begins", "Zathura - A Space Adventure", "King Kong" and "Cheaper by the Dozen 2"]; music editor Thomas A Carlson ["Be Cool", "Robots", "Mr & Mrs Smith" and "Eight Below"]; conductor Pete Anthony ["Red Eye", "Fun With Dick & Jane", "The Pink Panther" and "She's the Man"]; sound effects editor David C Hughes ["Panic Room", "The Village", "The Polar Express" and "Stay"]; produced by Lori Forte ["Bartok the Magnificent" and "Ice Age"]. What It's All About

"Scrat's antics rank with Chuck Jones' old Road Runner vs. Coyote cartoons for pure laughs." Sean Means SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

The world is slowly thawing out and the prehistoric animals are enjoying the benefits global warming is delivering to them. All appear happy except for one. Manny the Wooly Mammoth has reached that time in his life when he needs a companion. Problem is, no-one's seen another Mammoth in the area. Manny has come to the conclussion he may just be the only Mammoth left in the world and that's not a happy prospect for any lonely Mammoth. Driven by the urge to find his ideal partner and start a family, Manny goes in search of a mate. It proves fruitless until he, Diego and Sid encounter the only female Mammoth left in the world, Ellie. It's not an ideal first meeting. You see Ellie unfortunately comes with a little excess baggage, two rascally Possums 'brothers' named Crash and Eddie. Now Manny knows he's a Wooly Mammoth, and he Sid and Diego know Ellie is a Wooly Mammoth. Trouble is Ellie thinks she's a Possum and that could be a big stumbling block for the two of them. The Verdict "It's a rare event when it comes to cinematic sequels but believe me, this one is every bit as good as the original and then some. "Ice Age 2 - The Meltdown" gets my stamp of approval. With new characters to meet, a touch of romance and the acorn hunting Scrat proving to be a real scene stealer, you're assured of getting more than your monies worth the second time around. A mammoth stamp of approval! Will have the kids squealing with delight and provide adults with a bellyload of laughs. Highly recommended for all the family." Who's Who?

Chris Wedge Ray Romano John Leguizamo Denis Leary Queen Latifah Seann William Scott Jay Leno Josh Peck Will Arnett Peter Ackerman Caitlin Rose Anderson Joseph Bologna Renée Taylor Jack Crocicchia Peter DeSève Debi Derryberry Marshall Efron Tom Fahn Jason Fricchione Clea Lewis Jansen Panettiere Stephen Root Carlos Saldanha Sofia Scarpa Saldanha James Sie Cindy Slattery Mindy Sterling Alan Tudyk Laura Marano

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Scrat Manny Sid Diego Ellie Crash Fast Tony Eddie Lone Gunslinger Vulture Dung Beetle Dad Glypto Boy Billy/Beaver Girl Mr Start Mrs Start Elk Boy Condor Chick Diatryma Mom Start Dad Stu/Male Ox Molehog Grandpa/Shovelmouth Male Female Mini Sloth/Dung Beetle Mom Shovelmouth Boy Aardvark Dad Dodo Molehog Kid 2 Freaky Male/Elk Dad Aardvark Mom Female Ox Cholly Additional Voices

The Crew Directed by Carlos Saldanha Screenplay by Peter Gaulke & Gerry Swallow Story by Peter Gaulke & Gerry Swallow Produced by Lori Forte Original Music by John Powell Music Editor Thomas A Carlson Conductor Pete Anthony Orchestrator Brad Dechter Sound Effects Editor David C Hughes Technical Director Alexander Adell Run Time 90 minutes Rated PG Copyright © 2006 - 20th Century Fox - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved