ICE AGE 3: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS

As expected – and much to the audience’s delight – the third installment of the 'Ice Age' series opens once again with the now-iconic acorn gag. The clumsy creature, somewhere between Chip and Dale but far less cute and far more hysterical, makes a strong comeback. This time, there’s even a romantic subplot involving a foxy lady-squirrel who opens and closes the film, keeping things light and slapstick.

The film can be seen in both 2D (on 35 mm film) and 3D – either in the original English version or dubbed in Romanian under the direction of Cosmin Sofron. For the more adventurous, there’s even the novelty of Romania’s first 'Drive-In' cinema – provided you’ve got a car with an FM radio and a few motorized friends.

The central storyline revolves around Sid, the group’s lovable oddball, who suddenly decides he wants to be... a mother (let’s not delve into sociological interpretations or modern subtexts – the film stays firmly in the realm of innocent humor). Meanwhile, Ellie, Manny’s partner, is expecting a baby, and Manny – the model father – builds her a small amusement park, entirely without government support (as the role of Minister of Tourism hadn’t yet been invented in the Ice Age).

The big twist comes with the discovery of a hidden world beneath the ice – a lush, tropical jungle where dinosaurs still rule. To avoid traumatizing young viewers with these colossal creatures (though most kids are likely familiar with them from early Romanian 3D animations or 'Jurassic Park'), the filmmakers introduce three adorable dinosaur hatchlings. Naturally, Sid decides to adopt them. But joy quickly turns to chaos when their mother – a towering, less-than-pleased reptilian matriarch – storms in, and conflict ensues.

Sid, with his squirrel-like tail, bulging eyes, and rodent-like teeth, is hard to pin down as a species – but the translation clears things up: he’s a sloth, a slow-moving, tree-dwelling mammal native to South America, robust and equipped with powerful claws (according to the Encyclopedic Dictionary, not the script). Meanwhile, Diego the tiger, ever the noble predator, faces an existential crisis: depression and a desire to isolate himself. But, as always, he can't live without his friends. A new character is also introduced – Buck, a slightly deranged, one-eyed weasel and former explorer turned jungle guide, who adds a dash of controlled madness to the storyline.

The script is packed with memorable lines – like 'I’m too young to be eaten alive' – and certain scenes seem like unintentional tributes to iconic films, from 'Finding Nemo' (the underwater ice scene) to 'What Women Want' starring Mel Gibson (yes, there's a chest hair waxing moment). The humor ranges from subtle to gross-out, but it’s typical of American animated features and can be easily forgiven thanks to the film’s brisk pace and dazzling animation.

Queen Latifah brings warmth and strength to Ellie. Nominated for an Oscar for her role in Chicago, she was born in 1970 as Dana Owens and is also a well-known rapper. Romanian audiences may recognize her from 'Stranger than Fiction' and 'Last Holiday'. Ray Romano, the voice of Manny, is best known for 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and 'The Simpsons'. An actor, writer, and producer, he lends the mammoth dad both depth and humor. Sid is brought to life by John Leguizamo, born in Bogotá in 1964. Charismatic and versatile, Leguizamo has appeared in 'ER', 'Moulin Rouge', and even voiced a short animated film called 'Surviving Sid'.

'Ice Age 3' is a lively blend of humor, adventure, and nostalgic charm – full of delightful moments for children, and plenty of fun for adults too. It’s a perfect family movie. And if you’re in the mood for a prehistoric escape with dinosaurs, hidden jungles, and enduring friendship, this film is just the ticket. (Irina-Margareta Nistor, film critic)