Latest 'Ice Age' best one yet

In Ice Age 3, Sid, the sloth, is anxious to start a family of his own, so he steals some dinosaur eggs which lands him in a strange underground world.

Carlos Saldanha's Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which opens Wednesday, does something that's not often the case with a franchise in its third incarnation. Saldanha and writers Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss and Yoni Brenner, working off Jason Carter Eaton's original story, have altered the series' focus and changed its direction.

They haven't tampered with many of the things that worked in the first two films, but they are putting more emphasis on storytelling and action, while avoiding the usual array of biting puns, adult-oriented one-liners, and multiple references to pop culture items often included in animated films to make sure parents don't fall asleep while their children sit enthralled. Other than one mention linked to The Flintstones, the focus stays squarely on things happening during the movie.

There are enough plot elements and dicey sequences to merit the PG rating, but no one should worry that children will be getting far too much content that their years don't merit. Instead, they have included such thematic aspects as the importance of family loyalty, the real meaning of courage and sacrifice, and the changes that are made within a unit as roles change and new faces emerge. Fortunately, none of this is done in a heavy-handed manner, and there are still lots of funny sequences and charming moments.

This time the mammoths Manny (Ray Romano) and Ellie (Queen Latifah) are awaiting the birth of their child, something that has Manny noticeably (and with good reason) distracted from his usual duties as head of the animals. He's only faintly aware that sabertooth tiger Diego (Denis Leary) is worried that having been domesticated has taken away his edge, or that Sid (John Leguizamo), the hyper-active sloth, dearly wants to have his own family unit. In fact Sid's desire leads him to adopt three baby dinosaur eggs.

Unfortunately, he didn't bother to find out that their huge mother wasn't anxious or ready to give them up. When the mother notices the missing children, she not only returns to get them back, but takes Sid along with her. Manny, Ellie and Diego, plus buddies Eddie (John Peck) and Crash (Seann William Scott) now must go on a rescue mission to get Sid back. In the process they plunge into some strange new worlds and also encounter a new, intriguing character Buck (Simon Pegg).

Besides discovering lost animal races, exotic locations and many dangers, the animals learn what's really important and discover things about themselves they'd never even considered. These include the fact that they do care about each other, that they’re willing to fight against tough obstacles and that occasionally they can even think their way out of a jam. There are also the requisite clues and suggestions that set up the inevitable fourth installment, but this time it's worth it to get a film of this caliber.

Despite minimal advertising that only began near the end of the week, Sunday's sneak showing sold out at Opry Mills an hour before the showing — a good sign that Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs will still be a hit despite a departure from the March opening date of the previous two installments. By giving its fans a tighter, stronger story and more action rather than overdosing on quips, putdowns and comebacks, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs joins Up as sophisticated and engaging animated presentations.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Directed by: Carlos Saldanha, Mike Thurmeier
Written by: Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss, Yoni Brenner, Jason Carter Eaton (story)
Starring voices of: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, John Peck, Bill Hader, Chris Wedge
Time: 93 minutes
Rating: PG
Our view: The best of the trio and the first that really takes some conceptual chances with strong action sequences and bold storytelling.