ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE (Theatrical Release 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Ice Age: Collision Course—great animated story—may need a little tweaking toward its final closing scenes, but that does not affect its overall entertainment value.  This is the last film in this series to feature the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Josh Peck, Sean William Scott, and Chris Wedge. The rumor is that Chris Wedge's character Scrat will no longer be part of the series. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild is part 6 and serves as the last film in the series or the beginning of a new start for the series. Time will tell how successful it will be without the above talent. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Animal migration continues as comets and space debris begin to rain down on earth. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Thurmeier for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lori Forte for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Lopez, and Queen Latifah. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is well received by Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. It provides comedy, action, terrific animation, and serves a wide range audience. It does not exclude, it includes. It does not divide but welcomes all audiences. Great work for all involved in its production. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Ice age: Continental Drift—animated comedy—introduces new, well-drawn personalities and voice actors into its ongoing story: Keke Palmer as Peaches, Peter Dinklage as Captain Gutt, Josh Gad as Louis, Jennifer Lopez as Shira. This film provides interest as it works on a multi-threaded storyline to follow the stories of several characters who each are having their own adventures. The story is light, moves along well, and has a nice conclusion. It provides welcome continuity by recasting known characters played/voiced by Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and other voice actors and actresses into its basic storyline. This is a ‘no shab’ piece of entertainment for a wide-ranged audience and serves family entertainment needs well. Realize that this is movie 4 in a series and will be appreciated more by audiences who are following the series. It can stand alone, but has not been designed for that type of viewng. Audiences new to the series will appreciate this film far more if they begin as the beginning of the series with film 1: Ice Age, a 2002 movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A land shift provokes movement and new adventure among the friends fleeing from ongoing environmental changes. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lori Forte and John C. Donkin for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, and Queen Latifah. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie provides interest with a great storyline that follows several characters' involvement with life and unites the stories with the common thread of change as they encounter earth’s changes. The movie deserves its watch, is a very good child/adult share, and makes a high-quality addition to the family home entertainment video library. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANTZ (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Antz does not play down its storyline to children. While some language moves it into the adult world, this animated movie performs for everyone. Antz, inspiring, funny, heartfelt, and just plain fun, starts well and holds its good start throughout the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Z (voice of Woody Allen), a worker ant, falls in love with Bala (voice of Sharon Stone), a princess ant. He joins the army in hopes of seeing her again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, and Carl Rosendahl for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Chip (voice of Dan Aykroyd), Queen (voice of Anne Bancroft), Muffy (voice of Jane Curtin), Barbatus (voice of Danny Glover), General Mandible (voice of Gene Hackman), Azteca (voice of Jennifer Lopez), Grebs (voice of John Mahoney), and Psychologist (voice of Paul Mazursky).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Antz is a great pick for an engaging evening’s entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers