Children's movies can be just as rife with complicated themes and problematic content as any other media, and Ice Age is no exception. This classic film came out in just 2002, giving it plenty of time to age badly in the past years—but has it, really?
Upon returning to the very first, beloved entry in the franchise, it's clear to viewers that the things many loved as kids are still very much there: the humor that gives way to belly-laughs, the quirky characters, the heartwarming storyline. But, some things may arise now that never stood out in previous viewings--especially if one was a child at the time.
Ages Well: Friendship Theme
The most powerful theme in the movie is that of friendship. In the start, none of the characters are particularly fond of one another. Everyone has heard of the impending Ice Age, and so is moving out of town, so to speak, to avoid the icy weather. It's a time of survival when looking out for one's self might seem like the only thing to do--and yet, these three unlikely characters find themselves stronger by looking out for one another.
Doesn't Age Well: The Animation
The most glaringly obvious aspect of the film that didn't age well is the animation. As soon as one pushes play and the characters sidle on screen, the leaps and bounds that animation has traveled since 2002 become wondrously apparent.
This doesn't have to ruin the movie, of course, but can become a charming aspect of it, even nostalgic. Older animation serves as a marker for a specific period of time and can become a touchstone for viewers on lives, especially if they were fans of the film as a child.
Ages Well: Manny Defending Sid
Manny doesn't need to stick up for Sid. They come across one another by happenstance when Sid is being chased by a couple of Rhinos intent on employing retribution for him spoiling their last meal before the Ice Age.
Manny could walk away, but, when he learns that the Rhinos aren't merely taking part in the circle of life and meaning to eat Sid, but killing him for pleasure, Manny steps in, suggesting the moral message that some violence is just part of life, but some is mere cruelty.
Doesn't Age Well: Sid's Pelt Comment
Sid makes a passing comment that Sloths should stick to having partners who have the same pelt color as them. While it's important to keep in mind that the film is intended for children, and so the dialogue might not hold as much significance as it seems, this line is out of place and perplexing.
Even if it wasn't overt messaging relating to casual prejudice, it can easily come off that way and could do harm to the developing minds of children. If it is aimed at adult viewers, it misses the mark.
Ages Well: Diego's Complicated Narrative
Diego has a complicated storyline; he begins as the obvious villain of the film, planning to trap Manny and Sid and steal the baby for food for his pack, and he even carries this plan out almost completely. Yet, as time goes on, Diego finds himself relating to his travel mates and ultimately shifting from his pack to the created "herd" that he, Manny, and Sid have made.
Doesn't Age Well: The Female Sloths
The female sloths are a bizarre thing to behold in the Ice Age movie, and indeed in the whole franchise. It's common for animal characters to be humanized in animated movies, such as through their voices, facial proportions, and body language, but the female sloths are so humanized as to have their bodies morphed to mimic human female bodies in a way that strangely sexualizes the sloths as well as stereotypes females as hyper-feminine. No matter how you slice it, it's strange.
Ages Well: Cross-Species Empathy
The relations between Sid, Diego, Manny, and the baby queers the narrative of what it means to belong to a specific group and opens up feelings of possibility for viewers.
If creatures from separate species can manage to get along and even form a new group amongst themselves, in effect radically changing social dynamics of animals in the film, then viewers might be able to easier imagine a world where humans can embrace their own diversity—and, furthermore, gain more respect for animals.
Doesn't Age Well: Manny's History Scene
Manny's history scene is difficult to watch for several reasons. While the group is looking at cave paintings of humans and animals, a scene becomes animated through Manny's perspective, playing out a violent interaction between humans and a Mammoth family. The severity of the violence and the clear toll it took on Manny's life might be a little heavy for young viewers.
Ages Well: Sid's Self-Love
Sid might be the butt of nearly every joke in the movie, but this doesn't hold him back from being himself. Sid is constantly chatting away about whatever takes his fancy, even if others find him strange. He seems to be hardly affected by comments intended to put him down, portraying someone who is not shaken by others' opinions of them.
Doesn't Age Well: Global Warming Joke
The very end of the film greets the viewer with a global warming joke. Sid, lamenting how he is already bored with the ice age, suggests that he'd much prefer global warming next. We understand that it was meant as a tongue-in-cheek jab at current events, but, with a drastically increased awareness of climate change and related issues over the past two decades, the line now comes off as overly-sinister.