‘Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs’ is by the far the best ‘Ice Age’ film so far. It’s the best because the animation is now on a whole new level, as photorealistic as it gets, only enhanced by the 3-D. It’s the best because its way more action-oriented, focusing on the more slapstick elements that really sort of lacked in the first two. And simply, the first two ‘Ice Ages’ were kinda boring in the first place.

It features the same characters, who all behave and talk as if they were in a sitcom. Manny the Mammoth with his pregnant wife Ellie, the weird but charming sloth Sid, and the tough saber-tooth tiger Diego. Their outlandish adventures are continued in this film when, despite them being in an ice age they stumble upon an underground world populated with…you guessed it. Dinosaurs.

As I said, the animation is gorgeous. Waterfalls, dinosaurs, mountains. It’s all looking gorgeous, and the animators here outdo themselves, rivaling Pixar sometimes. This film and 3-D were practically made for each other, all the three-dimensional vistas are simply spectacular. The plot itself? Sort of weak, person gets kidnapped, friends bond in quest to find him, yada yada yada. Rather predictable. The elements of Manny trying to deal with fatherhood would be more poignant if it hadn’t been done in 15 million other animated films, and films in general.

On the other hand, one doesn’t go to ‘Ice Age’ movies for plot. They go for slapstick, for action, and they go because their kids force them to. This is, however, a standout animated movie for its gorgeous animation, impressive action, and – what else? The awesome 3-D. B+