Ice Age: Collision Course crashes

Movie Title:  Ice Age: Collision Course

  

Grade:   D+

Rating:  PG, 100 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Although this film is only the fifth in the series, it somehow feels like so much more.  It also feels like a money grab from a franchise that should probably be extinct now.

That being said, rug rats will love the goofy antics and colorful action. 

Uplifting theme:   

• Friendship
• Hope
• Faith in our children to make good choices and courage to let them.

Things I liked:

• The beginning sequence of our favorite acorn-loving squirrel shows an alternate beginning of the universe, included with the voice of Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Later, you get to see an animated deGrasse Tyson creature of some sort.  Weazel?
• The voice talents include Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Adam DeVine, Max Greenfield, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg,Wanday Sykes, Seann William Scott, and Nick Offerman.
• Parents will get a kick out of some of the musical references.
• There are some new characters.

Things I didn’t like:

• Unfortunately, the thin plot and weak script don't serve the talented cast as much as it should or could.
• It feels like it should have just gone straight to DVD or as a Saturday morning cartoon.
• It’s really not very funny.
• A lot of things don't make sense and start to bug you.
• The original, of course, was the best one.
• If you haven't seen any of the previous movies, you won't see any of the charm or character development that occurred before.

Funny lines:

•  “Everyone has somebody, but all I have is my boyish good looks and this mariachi band.” – Sid
• “I didn’t know sucking was a strategy.” –  Granny (Wanda Sykes)
• “Nature’s sunshine!” – Julian (Adam DeVine)

“Isn’t sunshine nature’s sunshine?” – Manny (Ray Romano)

• “You’re the wind beneath my fleas.” – Sid
• “You may be Jurassic, but I am fantastic.” – Buck (Simon Pegg)
• “Sweet eye patch.  Very gangster.” – Julian
• “Sorry.  I just love playing Devil’s Advocate and looking FABULOUS!” – Buck
• “Why can’t we just fear the Apocalypse like a normal family?” – Roger (Max Greenfield)
• “Baby made a poopie.  I’m a method actor, so I WILL need to be changed.” – Crash (Seann William Scott)
• “Oh Brooke, you’re so pretty you take my lisp away.” – Sid
• “You know what I love about our family?  That we’re alive.” - Roger

Tips for parents:   

• Parents will be happy that the film includes some science facts. 
• No profanity.
• Several nipple humor jokes. 
• Because of the young target market for this movie, there are a lot of butt jokes, farts, and other “potty” humor.

Better as a drive-thru than a Ride Along

Movie Title:  Ride Along

PG-13, 1 hour 40 minutes

Grade: C

In a Nutshell:  Ride Along should really just be a drive-thru, maybe later, after it’s out on DVD or in the dollar bin at Wal-Mart.  One F-bomb short of an R-rated movie, this buddy cop clichéd flick is filled with profanity, racial slurs and police brutality jokes.  It relies on the physical humor that Kevin Hart provides as he screams in a panic during the entire film.  The plot is canned, as are the jokes.  It’s 100 minutes of exaggerated silliness, so if that’s what you’re in the mood for don’t be disappointed with the thin plot and stereotyped characters.   

Uplifting theme:  Santiago (played by the talented John Leguizamo) says to James (played by straight-faced Ice Cube) “It must be tough being an island, huh?  Nobody to watch your back?” Some of the biggest themes of the movie are that we all need each other and to believe in your dreams.  Oh yeah, and playing video games gives you handy skills because, as Omar says "Everybody wants to be on the winning side."

Things I liked:  Kevin Hart is adorable and it’s inspiring to see his character never give up on his dream.

Things I didn’t like: I thought it was ridiculous that while Ben (Kevin Hart) was out trying to survive various antics, his girlfriend (Tika Sumpter) sat around the house scantily clad, anxiously waiting for him to return so they could…

Funny lines:

* “I’m not about to buy that girl with a goat.”   - Ben

* “How tall is Omar now?” – Ben

* The audience howled with laughter when Ben smacks James (several times)
* "Respect is best served cold."  - Ben  Omar corrects him: "No, it's revenge that's best served cold."

Things to look for:  Sophisticated humor…Nope, you won’t find it here, folks.

Tips for parents: This is not exactly a family-friendly movie and not appropriate for little ones…or older ones.  Lots and lots of profanity, including a scene where a young kid has a terrible potty-mouth.  There is a strip club scene and lots of sexual jokes, as well as disrespect for the popo…oh, I mean the police.