42 Ice Age Continental Drift
Rewatch. The fourth Ice Age movie. After Scrat interferes with the Earth's core, the Herd finds themselves facing pirates. Manny, Diego, Sid and Sid's Granny find themselves separated from Ellie, Peaches, Crash and Eddie. Therefore there are at least two plot lines in this film. (Three if Scrat is included.) The separation caused by the tectonic activity, is a major part of the film. Manny is driven to find Ellie and Peaches again and must overcome the obstacle that Gutt poses. He drives the others to fight back against the pirates.
There is also a subplot for Diego. The first mate of Gutt's pirate crew is also a saber, a female one, who is forced to cooperate with the Herd after she is inadvertantly captured. It does take time (with a little prodding from Sid). Talking about Sid... The way his family is introduced and elaborated upon is suitably comedic. (Of course, one would wonder why they wouldn't put up with him, or how they knew where he was, but that is aside the point.) Granny is a great character (not someone I'd like to be around, mind), an additional source of comedy.
Gutt is a great villain, it isn't explained why he's the way he is but it is certainly explained what he wants. Power, and to survive in the changing world. This leads to the final confrontation where Manny has to fight for survival (and to save Ellie and Peaches from Gutt). This sequence is presented quite well (even if the subduction occurring is unrealistic) with most of the characters playing their part. This makes it well worth rewatching. 8.5/10.
36 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Rewatch. The third film in the Ice Age series. Manny, Ellie and the others in their group discover that there is more to their world than they knew. Sid's discovery of some large eggs sets them off on a journey of discovery. On that journey they meet a strange, weasel, who helps them through the various perils they encounter. There are a few plotlines that interact as the film goes on. There is a soul-searching plotline for Diego. The major development for Ellie (and Manny) would have a major effect on the later films.
Ellie's pregnancy allows for a sense of urgency in the film. Manny's over protectiveness is rather well done. (Especially given his backstory in the first film.) He easily panics when he thinks that Ellie is getting into danger (or even more danger), given the nature of their journey. The moment of Peaches' delivery is well done. (Although I'm not sure of the realism, given that I'm not a parent myself.) Sid is also put through trials, as he deals with 'parenting' the eggs (and the baby dino's that hatch out of them).
This leads to a sequence during the climax of the film where, Buck (the weasel), Crash and Eddie are cooperating to save Sid from a predicament, involving a lava and a massive theropod. The twin possums learn they can work with another, and Sid learns not to steal eggs. This is as good as the previous film. 9/10.
35 Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Rewatch. The second film in the Ice Age series. Manny, Sid and Diego find themselves in danger when an ice dam begins to melt. A great follow up to the previous film. As they travel towards safety, the trio meet another unlikely trio; Ellie, Crash and Eddie. Thus begins a major theme that would continue through the rest of the movies. But I'm getting ahead of myself. As in the first move, the scenes involving Scrat, contribute a little to the main story. The tough little sabersquirrel is developed a little more.
It is shown that he is willing to go to any lengths to get that acorn! (Even confronting an eagle, or fighting piranhas...) But the major plot is the tension between Manny and Ellie. Ellie finds that she isn't a Possum, but a Mammoth. As she deals with this identity issue, Manny finds himself drawn towards her. However, Manny deals with issues of his own, as he is considered the 'last mammoth'. Diego also faces a different issue, that he is afraid of large bodies of water. The way that Sid helps him with this is considerate.
It may not seem that Diego is taking Sid seriously at the time, but he does remember what Sid was talking about it, and thus is able to help save the others during the flood. So all the various themes and plots come together. In additionally, the Food Glorious Food sequence with the vultures is quite humorous. 9/10.
34 Ice Age
Rewatch. The story of how three animals learned to cooperate in order to achieve a goal. The return of a baby human to his herd/tribe. Manny, a mammoth who had lost his family. Sid, a sloth whose family abandoned him. And Diego, a sabertooth who is sent by the alpha of his pack to retrieve the baby at any cost. This unlikely trio has to cooperate in order to survive the challenges that nature throws at them. The story is rather good, showing that cooperation is better than going it alone, that a group is defined by the personalities in it.
Diego shows the greatest development. He goes from a member of a pack, to the member of a herd. The leader of the pack, orders Diego to find the human baby, but he's thwarted by the efforts of Sid and Manny. His learning of Manny's past also has an impact upon him. As a result of these developments, Diego turns against his pack. This shows that one can turn from a being in a pack to helping others as part of a herd. Sid is aslo examined, as an unsual sloth who can bring disparate individuals together to achieve a good outcome.
The ending also rather good. Manny has to deal with his feelings about humans in order to be able to give the baby to his father in a safe manner. The confrontation between the herd and the pack is also handled quite well. Especially as Diego has to face his former master. 9/10.

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