Every one of us has a few films that we feel define our childhood – works that may not be entirely perfect, but nonetheless hold a special place in our hearts by virtue of coming into our lives when we were still discovering the world and its many peculiarities. The problem with a lot of these films, especially those not produced by one of the major studios, is that they can sometimes not hold up, and revisiting them later in life can be a daunting process, since we occasionally find that it can be quite disappointing to see that a film we imagined to be absolutely perfect instead has its own fair share of shortcomings, which is only natural but nonetheless still not as enthralling an experience as we would hope it to be. However, while it is impossible to say that every cherished film from our childhoods is an unimpeachable masterpiece, some have aged quite well, and whether this is my own personal bias (and the subsequent refusal to look beyond the obvious) or simply a case of the film actually being better than it had any right to be, Ice Age is one such example. Considering it has stood the test of time quite well, we don’t need to advocate for any kind of renewed interest, particularly since it has proven to be a film that a large portion of viewers have grown to appreciate, the viewership consisting of both those who grew up with this film, older viewers who were captivated by its charms, and legions of younger audience members who are nonetheless going to be actively engaged with this heartfelt, funny and charming animated comedy that may have its imperfections, but proudly wears them on its sleeves, becoming a far more spirited affair than any of us may expect, and a film that earns every ounce of our affection through its steadfast commitment to just being itself, by any means necessary. 

To avoid becoming too adamant about the weaknesses of contemporary studio animation, we should quickly just mention the origins of Ice Age, which was written and directed by Chris Wedge, who also co-founded the studio Blue Sky Animation, a now-defunct company that was actually behind some of the most cherished classics of the early 21st century, and whose only shortcoming was never being able to achieve the same reputation as Pixar and Disney, often being unfavourably compared to their output. This criticism is very unfair when we consider that some of the most interesting concepts were crafted by this studio, as evident by Ice Age, a film that takes quite a bold approach in throwing the viewer back in time by several millennia, taking us into the near-prehistoric era as we watch a fascinating account of the Ice Age era, a period in which our world underwent an enormous environmental change, the effects of which we still see today. At a glance, this doesn’t seem to be the most fertile ground for a lighthearted, uplifting animated comedy – but this is where Wedge’s ingenuity comes into play, since every decision made throughout this film is done in service of both the overarching premise (in this case exploring this period of history and making it accessible to younger viewers), while also playing to specific narrative tropes, such as the road movie, the buddy comedy and the odd couple dynamic. Somehow, Ice Age is as effective (if not more so) as any of the more notable examples of these elements, and also manages to be a relatively solid introduction to the prehistoric era, something that may be surprising considering how many have attempted to explore a period of which we know very little, but it turned out that the most effective exploration of these themes was in a relatively minor animated comedy, which ultimately examines its underlying subject matter better than most similarly-themed films.

Much of the reason Ice Age has remained such a wonderfully exuberant and beloved work is a result of the characters, who are distinct and well-crafted enough to carry the entire narrative. Ultimately, the story is relatively flimsy and one-dimensional, and doesn’t really have enough merit on its own to be considered a strong narrative work – but it’s the characters that truly elevate it, so credit must go to Wedge and the rest of the creative team for their creation of these unforgettable protagonists. The designs of the three main characters – namely Manny the mammoth, Diego the sabre-toothed tiger and Sid the sloth – are truly stellar and anchor this film. They’re relatively accurate (at least in comparison to a lot of other animated films that centre on animals as their protagonists), and there is a lot of detail put into biological and anatomical accuracy, at least as far as possible. It also helps that the three actors bringing these characters to life are all exceptional – while Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo are all fantastic actors in their own rights, with long and storied careers, Ice Age is likely to be amongst their best work, or at least a film that will be one that quickly comes to mind when thinking of their work (obviously this isn’t to diminish their other work, which is all excellent and understandably worth watching), not necessarily due to the quality of the film, but rather the work the actors are doing to add layers of nuance and humour to these roles. It’s fantastic work from everyone, and the trio can carry most of the film all on their own, solely through their decision to actively seek out the most earnest emotions from characters that could have been nothing but thinly-drawn caricatures in the hands of other performers who didn’t see the immense value in this film.

When piecing together the reasons why Ice Age is so successful, we have to also give some thought to the execution of its ideas, which are almost universally celebrated, even if there are some aspects that you would imagine could be subjected ot additional layers of scrutiny. In this case, we have the animation itself – it’s important to note that Ice Age was conceived and produced during some of the early days of computer-generated imagery, coming about a decade or so after the technology was becoming much more mainstream. The result is animation that can be slightly clunky at times, but is mostly quite beautiful – there’s a lot more detail in the landscapes than there are in the rendering of the characters and their movements (the supporting human parts in particular needed a bit more work, but they do mostly exist on the periphery so its not very important), and it does sometimes strike us as being slightly less impactful than we may have hoped. However, what this film lacks in visual precision and perfection, it more than makes up for in how it handles its emotions. The message of the film circles around is primarily that of exploring the friendship between different species, and how some of the best companions are those we least expect. This is a slightly more contentious point, since this required the film to sometimes rely on more complex emotions (which could be considered somewhat out of its scope), but the writers handle it well, refusing to invalidate certain conversations, but also putting in a concerted effort to peer beneath the surface, understanding all the reasons a film like this could have been considered to rely on heavier themes, while never being too heavy-handed or overwrought in the process. It’s fascinating filmmaking, and a piece of cinema that feels engaging and enthralling, while still striving to be as honest and heartwarming as it could be.

Ice Age is certainly not a film that needs a rallying call for recognition – it has aged remarkably well, and is as beloved today as it was over two decades ago, and has qualities in it (both visually and narratively) that have made it quite an enthralling affair, even if it hasn’t been entirely immune to some degree of criticism. However, much of this is the result of the filmmakers not being able to allow a perfectly strong film to stand on its own, since every one of its sequels has proven to be beyond dull, a pale imitation of Wedge’s exceptional work with the original. Having rewatched this film for the first time in well over a decade, and experiencing it with someone who is seeing this story for the first time, it’s difficult to not be enchanted by it, even when some of the ideas and aesthetic decisions are not as seamless as we would imagine. It’s a much more engaging work than we would expect, and while the internet has understandably trivialised it into nothing more than a meme, there’s a sense of sweetness and sincerity that makes it a lot more complex than memory may allow us to remember. As a whole, Ice Age is a delightful, irreverent film that entertains the entire family, being a steadfast celebration of friendship and the unimpeachable bonds we form with those we choose as our companions, and how the journey is sometimes far more important than the destination.