The Ice Age franchise has taken the world of animation by storm. With its enjoyable storylines and adorably charming characters, the movies have captivated audiences of all ages. With its visuals and music, Ice Age has created an entire world that leaves its viewers wanting more. We can’t help but fall in love with the franchise and its collection of misfits— Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd.
Ice Age films reflect an evolving theme
The Ice Age films don’t follow a linear narrative, with each installment introducing new elements to the franchise. They rely heavily on themes of friendship, family and loyalty, and each movie gives us a better understanding of these ever-evolving characters and their delicate relationships.
The Never-Ending Adventure
The Ice Age franchise is a never-ending source of adventure. Each installment tells a different story, with Manny, Sid and Diego struggling against improbable odds to survive their respective journeys— from rescuing Sid’s Granny to travelling to a strange world deep within a frozen crystal cave. Regardless of the story, viewers can always count on a heartwarming climax that brings our favorite characters back to the family home.
The Favorite Characters
No Ice Age film would feel complete without the trio of Manny, Sid and Diego. Our favorite giant sloth and two pranksters never cease to entertain us with their endearing personalities and moments of sheer adorable silliness.
Manny
Manny is the patriarch of the group, always looking out for his friends. He’s a low-spoken, soft-hearted sloth often played for laughs. He’s tender yet strong, wise yet vulnerable, and even in the darkest of times, his friends know that he will always be there for them.
Sid
Sid is the mischievous yet lovable ground sloth. He’s the typical screw-up, always getting himself and his friends into sticky situations… and occasionally getting them out of them too. He loves a good joke and prays on Diego’s and Manny’s insecurity, but he would do anything for his family.
Diego
Lastly there’s Diego the sassy and loyal saber-toothed tiger who, despite being on the wrong side of the law, puts his heart and soul into every escapade and isn’t intimidated by anyone or anything. He is a firm believer in family, and will always have the backs of his friends.
The other beloved characters
A host of glorious misfits populate the Ice Age films. From Sid’s Granny to Scrat, each of these characters has managed to capture our hearts in one way or another.
Sid’s Granny
An audience favorite, Granny is Sid’s wild, independent and incredibly spry grandmother. Despite often giving her grandson and his friends a hard time, deep down she is devoted to them and always has their best interests at heart.
Scrat
Scrat is a frenetic saber-toothed squirrel, always in search of his beloved acorn. He has appeared in every installment of the Ice Age films, and often provides the source of the main conflict.
Ellie
The adopted daughter of Manny, Ellie is a loyal friend to all. After joining the herd later in the franchise, she often provides comfort and guidance when difficult decisions have to be made.
Diego’s Mate
Another major character is Diego’s mate, Shira. She appears in the fourth installment, assisting her husband and the rest of the gang during their harrowing journey.
Crash and Eddie
Stitch-marking molehogs Crash and Eddie have been bringing the comic relief to the films since the very first one. Despite their short size and limited mobility, these two can pack a punch and are never too far from trouble.
The Different Themes of Each Movie
The franchise has unveiled an amazing assortment of tales that range in theme from romance and mischief to adventure and mystery. Ice Age films range from the heartwarming (Ice Age: The Meltdown) to the mysterious and spooky (Ice Age: Continental Drift).
Ice Age (2002):
The first film in the franchise introduces us to our trio and their trusty herd. We follow them as they fend-off predators, traverse icey landscapes and ultimately come to care deeply for one another.
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006):
The second installment presents our friends with an urgent problem— the impending meltdown of a giant glacial mass caused by global warming— and the prospect of a great flood. The movie shifts to the theme of family, as the giant sloth discovers that he may have other surviving relatives.
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009):
The third installment is dedicated to Sid’s quest to start a family of his own. This brings the trio into a mysterious world located beneath the earth’s crust where they interact with dinosaurs and navigate some of the oddest and most dangerous creatures around.
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012):
The fourth movie takes us on the biggest journey yet. After sea fumes separate the gang, Manny, Diego and Sid embark on an adventure that will bring them to strange caves, lost continents and a giant ship called ‘the continent-sized craft.’
Ice Age: Collision Course (2016): The fifth movie continues the quest of the trio as they stumble upon a burning meteorite headed directly victims of the alphabet, an appearance of things that sort of look like our letters but are nothing like them at all.
No matter what age we are, we can all agree that the Ice Age franchise is timeless. With its ever-evolving storylines, lovable characters and jam-packed action, Ice Age movies have earned a special place in our hearts. They have just the right mix of comedy, adventure, and heartwarming moments that no true lover of animation can resist.
