4/5 Ellie the Mammoth/Possum Shows Up
  by John F. Rooney
"Ice Age the Meltdown" (2006) is the second computer-animated film in a so-far three movie saga about a family of animals of all sorts of species. In it we see Manny (voice of Ray Romano), the mammoth, who believes he's the last of his species on Earth. Sid, the sloth (John Leguizamo), the lead character of the series, is joined by Diego, the glum saber-toothed tiger. The ice is melting at a fast pace, a prehistoric global warming, so all of the animals have to flee, looking for dry ground before the deluge. At one point they get on a huge hunk of bark that reminds us of Noah's ark.
As interludes in the movie there are short, separate cartoon sequences about Scrat, the saber-toothed squirrel who keeps wrestling with that infernal acorn. Of course in the third movie of the series, he'll find a girlfriend who can fight with him over that acorn.
Manny is delighted to meet another mammoth, cute Ellie (Queen Latifah), but the trouble is she's been brought up by two possums and thinks she is a possum. She even tries to hang from trees with her tail, but her weight gives her problems. There's a lot of funny dialogue between Manny and Ellie. The movie has some sly adult humor that grown-ups will enjoy, and the kiddies will probably not latch onto.
The movie has real lessons to teach youngsters and oldsters as well: the importance of belonging to a family or a group, loyalty to your friends and family, helping out friends. Diego, the tiger, learns that even though he fears the water and is convinced he cannot swim, a loyal and brave gesture on his part, an effort to save his friends, forces him to overcome his fears and win over adversity.
There are musical numbers, and at one point Sid becomes an object of worship to hundreds of sloths.
It's a lot of fun, easy-to-take entertainment, told with originality and skill. The third movie in the series is more action-oriented with more thrills for kids. This one will seem tamer and milder after you see Number Three.


3/5 Ice Age 2: The Meltdown... On the Rocks
  by Julian Kennedy (St Pete Florida)
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown: 5 out of 10: Global Warming comes to the Ice Age clan. Now before you get any idea that this is An Inconvenient Cartoon, keep in mind that global warming in this case is presented as a fairly benevolent event (After all they are in an Ice Age) and by definition not man made (though with all the fart jokes I think Woolly Mammoth flatulence may be a contributing factor.)

Possibly controversial political hot potatoes aside, this is a very attractive and quite empty headed CGI cartoon.

The movie is simply drop dead gorgeous. The water effects alone are almost worth a view. The other highlight of Ice Age 2 is simply the finest English orphan vulture musical number ever put on film.

Other than that Oliver Twist twist, the jokes seem kind of flat. The characters have no spark (Denis Leary's Saber Tooth tiger in particular seems neutered.), and there is some Noah's Ark imagery that at best seems misplaced.

I'm sure the kids will love it and I have often felt the first Ice Age was under-appreciated compared to similar Pixar offerings. The sequel alas is a bunch of gags barely strung together with a go from point A to point B storyline occasionally interrupted by that scene stealing pre-historic squirrel, Scrat.

Most of the gags are pleasant enough but, except for the vulture musical number, there is nothing inspired in the whole film.



5/5 Fast Shipping, Perfect Item
  by Pamela Perry (Medford, OR)
This DVD arrived very quickly and in perfect condition. Movie is hilarious, my grandsons really like it!

5/5 Ice Age - The Meltdown is "NO" meltdown
  by Russell A. Becker (Corona, CA USA)
This movie is just as good (if not better) than the first ICE AGE. The three main characters from Ice Age 1, are still with us. And with the addition of two crazy opossums and one Mammoth, who thinks she is a opossum, adds to the enjoyment of the movie. The is a great movie for the entire family, even my teenage grand kids liked it.

4/5 A must-have for any blu ray collection
  by marymelon (northern, IN USA)
Just when you thought the DVD was impressive, the Ice Age blu ray movies are spectacular! The story was enjoyed by family members of all ages. The extra features are as entertaining as the movie!Ice Age: The Meltdown [Blu-ray]