Schindler's List (1993)

A human's identity and heritage can never be changed, so why must we be judgmental towards others when they are the way they are? Steven Spielberg brings us one of the most emotive and stunning pieces of historical cinema ever filmed while never wishing to put his status or accomplishments in Hollywood above the story portrayed on the screen; grateful to all those who kept this story alive until it was acknowledged and dispersed among the global population. This act of humility and courtesy exceeds all other achievements and material possessions Steven Spielberg has acquired in his career, making him a revered and respected figure throughout the world; reflecting the sentimentality and fragility of the director in the somberness and dire recreations of the events which will be engraved in our world's history for the rest of time.

The film commences in 1939, when Hitler has assumed his place in office and has signed into policy a plan to eradicate all those who are Jewish and living in Europe. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) is a German businessman looking to make a lot of money in the city of Krakow where the Germans have conquered the city and taken all the Jewish residents as prisoners. With the war being an enormous advantage for him in building his business, Oskar wants to employ the very people who are despised by his people in an effort to save money. He sees the Jewish population not as worthless vermin, but as equals and is willing to negotiate with them in an ordinary fashion, without any degrading language or malicious intent. Bribing many of the SS officials to let him hire the Jews they wish to take into concentration camps, Oskar's business is a colossal success and he has enough money to last him a lifetime. Content and proud, Oskar has everything he could ever dream of, but one day while riding his horse, he witnesses the massacre and imprisonment of the many Jewish folks who have been an essential part of his business and living a stable life in Krakow, Poland. Experiencing a change of heart toward the Nazi Party, Oscar conspires to illicitly employ as many of the Jews who were imprisoned into his workforce by bribing the ruthless head of the local camp, Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes). At first, Amon sees this as nothing more than a business transaction, but soon starts to develop second thoughts about Schindler's relationship with his workers after he witnesses him perform a kind deed of giving the prisoners water while boarding a train and being stuffed like sardines in a can. Schindler also finds out from his trusty accountant Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), that Amon kills for the joy of it and doesn't hold back when handed an opportunity to stain his hands with Jewish blood, treating all those under his command like animals. Oskar then tries to talk sense into Amon about the true meaning of power while also reassuring his Jewish maid Helen Hirsch (Embeth Davidtz), that she will make it through her miserable stay at the Goeth household despite her knowing that she will be dead very soon. Oskar soon starts to dedicate his fortune to bribing more of the Nazi officials in order to get more and more Jews working in his new factory located in his hometown. On the surface, he presents his factory as a weapons manufacturer, but on the inside, it's a safe haven for the ostracized race to live in until the end of Hitler's tyrannical reign, allowing all the Jews to resume their traditions and former lives without any disruption or discrimination on his part or the guards'. The question is, will Goeth and the higher command take notice of his plan to foil theirs, or will Schindler achieve one of the most honorable deeds a human being has ever sought out to do, in the hopes of preserving the many generations which have been rooted out because of who they are?

The film is an absolute masterpiece and delivers a jarring blow to our conscience by exposing us to the horrors of the Holocaust like we've never seen before. Approximately three hours in length, this epic story uses each frame to its fullest potential and never loosens the grip on our souls as we relive the grueling days of those lives who were threatened and taken during the extermination of the Jewish population in Europe. Sincere in its intent, the movie is a tale of hope and survival like I've never seen it before and very possibly could be the best portrayal of the Holocaust in recent years.

Making the film in black and white was one of the wisest decisions made by the production team on this particular film because it makes it that much more believable and tactile for the audience in the sense that we are reliving those events by the use of simplifying the technological abilities of the equipment used for filming. In black and white, the film looks almost like a documentary and we might as well be looking at archived footage shot by witnesses who were there on the scene at each momentous event that these rescued Jews have experienced, from the raid of their community in the Polish town of Krakow, to their granted sanctuary at Schindler's factory. Striking in appearance with an impressive artistic direction, the picture had no need for color because of its dismal subject matter and its sole dependence on human emotion and plot to move the audience in whatever way they were able to be moved.

Poetically speaking, the score of the film is one of the most beautiful compositions ever produced, elevating the film to new heights and anchoring all the emotions that arise as a result of hearing the tender and searing violin solo of Itzhak Perlman during the ghetto massacre and the last moments of the film. I don't think the film served to bring out any emotions within us with a forceful intent, but it does evoke an innate pain and sympathy we have for those victims of violence and humiliation who have fallen or survived, thanks to the delicately composed theme music which was performed solely for this film.

The acting was brilliantly executed by all the cast members, with neither of them taking the lead, but rather splitting the scene's energy and distributing it evenly among each other to produce the right amount of tension and level out the playing field which at times may seem a bit crowded because of how rich and profound these characters are. Although none of us will ever truly know the personalities of each individual, we have to learn to trust the writers and the actors in their portrayal of such historical magnitude, in order to perceive it as the truth. Liam Neeson as Schindler was a luminescent beacon of hope, guiding us with his charisma and kindness towards a brighter world that just didn't exist when the Nazis invaded most of Western Europe in the early 40's. He was a perfect match to play Schindler because of his gentle glare and his formidable stature which inspired comfort rather than fear. His character is the epitome of generosity and tolerance which inspires us all till this day. Ralph Fiennes on the other hand exuded an insidious monstrosity which overshadowed his handsome nature, making him a perfect match to play the menacing villain, Amon Goeth. All the other actors were a great support for these two frenemies, making me shudder and wanting to take them away from the hell which they were confined to for the time being.

Full of hidden meaning, this film has a marvelous moral for all of us to learn and stick to in our everyday lives. First of all, we mustn't mock or scorn those who are different from ourselves. No matter how many times it's been said, it seems the world has something in their ears or they are just too stubborn to take it into account. We as civilized creatures on this earth should, after so many years, have learned to treat all the people of this earth as equals. It doesn't matter if they're black, white, yellow, red or green; why should we waste our time and energy criticizing those who we find threatening? Fear of the unknown or the knowledge of something you haven't witnessed, causes us to assume the worst and carry out barbaric methods of dealing with those who we are either threatened by or don't understand. We are animals with instincts, but let's not categorize ourselves into that class of species. By utilizing our intelligence and attempting to gain an understanding of our surroundings, we are a supreme race, united by our ability to obtain truth and lead a discussion with one another in order to strengthen our bond and understanding of each other. But by the examples of the existing conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world, we still haven't conquered our animal instincts and still aren't capable of suppressing our inner beasts in order to differ ourselves from our animal counterparts. It amazes me how Hitler was able to lead such an evil agenda in the hopes of uniting a nation, and the nation had followed his lead. For the purpose of creating an ideal race, they were willing to weed out their fellow men; men and women who have lived with them side by side, peacefully, without any serious complaints to their well-being were able to be obliterated under the rule of one man who wanted nothing but power at any cost. I guess power is what moves us and is our main incentive. Whether it be at work, in our family or on a larger scale like race, we are somehow captivated and mesmerized by the opportunity of holding power. Although there's nothing wrong with power, it's how we choose to distribute it and act upon it that we show our true colors as human beings and just how little we have improved in our intelligence levels. Self-indulgence is still our strongest suit and we stand tall and proud basking in our own decadence. We are still animals but thank goodness there are people like Oskar in this world, who are able to put a stop to the madness and do the right thing for the sake of humanity, looking past the differences which divide us till this day. Coexist and you will find peace, but I don't think we are capable of suppressing our primitive urges to produce effective results just yet.

Time will tell, but it's up to us to prove that we are better than this. I hope that this epic film will be exhibited as a glimmer of hope to all generations, present and future, who in turn will learn from history's mistakes and believe in themselves and others enough in order to change our perspective of the world and make the right choice when it comes to informing others about the identities we should and shouldn't assume in public.

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

What happens when opposites attract in an office setting? Romance blooms, hearts are broken and then of course, someone has to make it into a cheesy rom-com featuring the queen of romantic comedies and a British actor who is oh-so-perfect in the role of an arbitrary yet whimsical billionaire. This is a winning catch if you're feeling lonely or catching a flick together with your girlfriends; filled with the humor and charm that has made Sandra Bullock a reliable fixture in any romantic comedy, and the accent and dorkiness that makes Hugh Grant so adorable and irresistible to any woman over thirty.

Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock) is a liberal lawyer living in New York City. Specializing in environmental law, she is determined to prevent the demolition of the Coney Island community center, which was and still is an eternal part of her life. Remembering all the memories and experiences the center has given her, Lucy persists in accomplishing her goal by persuading a rather young and attractive real estate tycoon, George Wade (Hugh Grant), to help keep the community center out of harm's way. It just so happens that George is also in need of a lawyer for his divorce case, and without further thought, he hires Lucy for the job. He also gives her a job at his office for being such a strong presence in the proceedings of the case as well as during their first encounter. Intrigued by her dedication for the cause she believes in, George makes her a promise that if she helps him in the legal department of his business transactions, he will help prevent the imminent destruction of the center Lucy has loved for so long. Despite being aware of George's playboy habits and capricious behavior, Lucy has no idea what she's in for during her employment at Wade Corporations. Juvenile, inconsiderate and eccentric in his requests and overall state of mind, George has taken the last straw of Lucy's patience, and after less than a year of employment she opts to quit the job despite how well she gets paid and the benefits that George is willing to give her. Realizing that maybe this was all a waste of time and that the center may not survive much longer based on George's fickle temperament, Lucy is in a state of despair and doesn't know what to do about her current situation. With a two-week notice issued, George asks if she can just help train a young woman named June (Alicia Witt) to fill her position. Lucy agrees, but during her last two weeks, she starts to develop a genuine understanding of George and his past even if he comes off as a smug, pretentious, and utterly unbearable pest. She also learns that this venture to take over his father's company, is an enormous amount of pressure for George and all he needed was a little advice from someone he can trust in order to make the right impression not only among his clients, but his co-workers as well. Feelings of sympathy and love arise from Lucy's side but has George eventually taken an interest in his new assistant and forgotten about Lucy altogether? Watch out for the tug of war which ensues as a result of this growing love triangle.

Although this light-hearted comedy feels like an unambitious attempt at producing yet another addition to the genre, I still can't but love how human and touching the main characters are, based on their backgrounds and goals that although are different in intent, still flow into one compound which binds them together until the end. The story seems a bit unrealistic in terms of the pairing of a  billionaire and an unconventional, yet effective lawyer if you really think about it. I don't think an important person like that would ever chase after an average person with integral values that do not include material possessions or marrying a rich man. It's all part of the formulaic structure of the romantic comedy which makes women swoon and envision a more desirable future for themselves where love and financial stability are profuse and everything takes care of itself. Wake up people! It's a figment of someone's imagination that gives women hope about the possibility of meeting that one person who appreciates their flaws and everything they have to offer in a relationship, and not a true to life story which takes into account every nuance and facet of a person's life which contributes to their fate.

The color scheme and cinematography for the film was relatively meaningful in the context of the story. Different shades of grey and other washed out or pale colors were mostly used in the detailing of the sets and wardrobe to convey Lucy's desolate lifestyle and cynical attitude towards others. It's somewhat of a complex outer presentation of Lucy's mindset which is reflected and translated on the people who contribute and surround her in her every day life. However, it seems as though the wardrobe choices for the characters Lucy chooses to focus most of her energy upon -- George and June -- is composed of colors which are much more striking in appearance as opposed to their encompassing space; even if they are rather bland and still fit into the primary spectrum of the production.

I do approve of the bigger picture that this picture chooses to portray in a modern, capitalist world where people choose to embrace the amount someone's wallet holds in contrast to that person's personal views, overall personality and work ethic while dedicating their life to something bigger than themselves. Humility and integrity is what Lucy brings to the table not only as a lawyer, but a human being, and now it's up to George to learn from her and exhibit his true colors and intentions if he wants to stay true to himself and prove to Lucy that he's not just a suit with a mind for instant gratification at the expense of other. Lucy is the one who pops his bubble of thought and direction after so many years of being groomed to take over a job which requires nothing but the skill to earn a profit for himself and his well-endowed family; is George ready to do what's right even if it means to lose the trust of the family which has given him everything he ever wanted, except for the much needed guidance, love, and attentiveness which makes him so incomplete as an adult?

On an ending note, this film does have its upsides and a message which could be measured more deeply, but I won't forget to state that this is a comedy and all that is required of you is to enjoy the comical situations and wry humor as opposed to figuring out what's really behind the facade of characters who comprise this particular story. Wait a minute... that's my job! That being said, most will find this enjoyable and refreshing to watch while others will complain about the banality of it all; I say take your chances.

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Armed with a plot containing enigmatic essence and all the things that have made the franchise such an enormous success: eye-opening action, heart-pounding thrills and shuddering chills; this worthy contender cannot be ignored without admiring the overall execution of film, from the unique lighting to the impressive ensemble of actors who managed to level out the playing field by balancing their dramatic abilities with their physically demanding roles. It's definitely no easy task to attain an ample amount of both elements in an action film, yet it was a risk they would have to take in order to establish the film as a valuable entry not only in the entire franchise, but the upper echelons of the action genre as well.

After a few high-profile missions which included nothing but turmoil and peril, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has chosen to retire from the IMF and marry the woman of his life, Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Very much in love and happy with his current situation, Ethan has nothing to worry about anymore and hopes to put his past as an agent behind him, choosing to focus on his future with Julia and the start of a new chapter in his own life. However, just as his new life has begun to sink in, the past has suddenly crawled back into his lap and is just as tormenting and vehement as it ever was, threatening both his life as well as Julia's now that they are together. Apprehensive of the dangers which await him back on the field, Ethan has chosen to take on the mission of rescuing his most commended pupil, Lindsey Farris (Kerri Russell), after she was captured by the world's most dangerous and elusive criminal, Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who uses a sadistic approach when dealing with his adversaries and pursuers. The mission isn't exactly a piece of cake, so Ethan is assigned a new team with an old friend who's been there from the very beginning. Now, with the team's diverse expertise in technology, strategy and combat, they are ready to not only rescue Lindsey, but also infiltrate Davian's agenda to find out what exactly his plans are involving an object which could possibly be utilized to perform mass destruction in the form of an atom bomb, only more severe. Upon conclusion, the mission turns out to be a debacle and there is very little hope that the agency will be able to recover any fresh clues about Davian's malicious plans. Ethan also starts to doubt whether risking his and his girlfriend's life is even remotely worth the strain put on him by the agency, but chooses to go with his gut and continue investigating and ultimately devising a plan to kidnap Davian in order to set things straight. The question is, can he follow through on this mission and keep his identity a secret from Davian in order to avoid anymore harm inflicted on someone who he cares deeply about?

I would have to say that this is a phenomenally shot film and a wonderful addition to the action genre which no doubt surpasses its predecessors by a million miles in terms of technological advancements and the elaborate scheming and manipulation of the plotline. Filled with so many intense twists and turns that keep you at the edge of your seat, I'm sincere when I say that the editing and special effects of the film were above average and absolutely mind-blowing to witness. The photography and diversity of the various locations was absolutely stunning, while pairing it with the exotic vibe of the intricately choreographed action sequences and beautifully made sets makes it an undeniable pleasure to see on-screen. The cinematography was absolutely top-notch; achieved to the peak of perfection for each and every scene whether it be cutting edge, mysterious, macabre or serene, each emotion was seamlessly conveyed through the use of lighting and distinct camera angles implemented during each particular scene of the film. I really appreciate how much careful consideration was put into the palette choices of each scene, transferring effortlessly to the screen without a single thought about it being calculated or contrived. It's a strenuous task to accomplish while trying not to make the film look overly stylized or lurid, but this crew clearly knows how to perform such duties with a finesse which upholds the theory of yin and yang.

Now, because there is a more serious relationship taking presence in this film between Ethan and Julia it was really heart-warming and unexpected to see not only the stunning chemistry between Cruise and Monaghan, but also how the lighting was executed during those emotional moments between the couple. There is one scene on the roof between the couple when there is nothing but darkness around them, yet only a tender light is shining on their faces which reflects the dynamic of their bond and how delicate and unconditional their love really is towards each other. Conveyed with such fragility and purity, it was enough to make even the coldest hearts melt with empathy. Of all action films, its hard to come by one which values humanity and relationships over mindless and explosive action performances as much as this one does.

Also, when it comes to having an ensemble cast, it's very important to establish a discernible bond between each character even though they may be from very different backgrounds. I would say the script and screenplay made this aspect a success in the viewers' eyes because of the interaction between all the characters, no matter how small. It's just those little moments in time that create a firm connection between characters and maintain that unity for the rest of the story; this also makes the characters more relatable and prone to sympathy from the viewers, which is a major success for any film because by luring us in and exploiting our feelings, it brings out the best in us and forces us to put ourselves in the shoes of these agents, who risk their lives in the hopes of protecting so many others.

The lesson to be learned from this film is most obviously the struggles of juggling a career and family. Although Ethan's career involves so much risk not only on his part, especially now that he has fallen in love, he depends solely on his training and pragmatic nature as opposed to how his feelings have evolved with Julia by his side. It's a tough stew to cook without it boiling over and giving you a burn, but it looks like anything is possible when Ethan Hunt has lived through it. His character can be interpreted as a real life superman despite his tendency to make mistakes, like all human tend to do, but it's admiring to see that a man like him can go through life with the coolness and attitude to make it work. Let's see you try keeping all of his burdens in your head without having a mental breakdown, when one wrong move on a mission can cost you your livelihood as well as your team's. Don't forget to add the pressure of protecting innocent civilians from the malice and sordid behavior of the world's top criminals and you'll see why Agent Hunt is such a reliable asset for the IMF. Can you imagine the level of composure you'd have to master to be at the top of your game in such physically and mentally competitive field? This counts towards your journey in life as well as your professional progression through the years, but take from it what you will when I say that Ethan Hunt is a man for all seasons.

Overall, mission accomplished. What more could an action junkie want from a film with such vibrant and memorable events and revelations that increase in shock value as the movie unfolds. Plus, you have the added benefit of bringing along others who enjoy movies that lean towards sentimentality and dramatic performances. This movie has managed to fit it all in for your convenience and viewing pleasure no matter what kind of genre fits your fancy, and I strongly recommend you see it if you haven't already.

The Forger (2012)

After developing an interest in the acting abilities of Josh Hutcherson, following his performance in the blockbuster hit The Hunger Games, I stumbled upon this film and thought it might be of some worth because of the supporting cast and premise of the film. As it turns out, you can't win them all, and no matter how promising it seemed, this film is a vapidly senseless product which only spawns interest because of its featured cast and nothing more.

The story takes place in the historically artistic town of Carmel, California where a fifteen year-old boy named Josh (Josh Hutcherson) has been abandoned by his mother and forced to fend for himself in these harsh and heartless times. Josh, however, happens to possess a rare talent which is his ability to project what he has seen and experienced in life onto a canvas. Art is what keeps him sane and his ability to recreate and complete unfinished artwork is astounding at the least. With nowhere to go and only memories and hope to hold on to, Josh stumbles into a mansion on the cliff overlooking the ocean and finds an art studio in the basement with an unfinished painting displayed on the stand. Josh decides to finish the painting which is modeled on another but as soon as the owner finds the completed product, he is absolutely dumbfounded by the attention to detail and how Josh has captured the essence of the original and maybe even enhanced the effect to some extent. The owner of the mansion happens to be an art dealer called Everly (Alfred Molina), who produces forgeries of famous works and sells them to high-profile figures for an ample amount of money, while simultaneously bringing more exposure to his gallery. He decides to take Josh under his wing and teach him the process of forging a painting from the initial stroke to the aging technique, promising him a future filled with anything he would ever need and much more if he proceeds to take on this profession. Meanwhile Josh has met a girl by the name of Amber (Hayden Panettiere), who is a resident of Carmel and the one person who attempts to understand Josh's predicament and teach him about behaving himself and learning the town's history and culture. He falls for her but she sees how immature he is and is more inclined to be his friend while he sorts out his inner turmoil, rather than develop a romance. Josh however is haunted by his past, using it as inspiration for his artwork and constantly enveloping his thoughts with memories of the dark days which cannot be erased. Concerned about Josh's well-being, his acquaintances in Carmel try everything to take his mind off his miserable past, but will Josh be able to overcome the truth that he tries so hard to avoid and eventually realize his potential to be happy and successful in life?

Eager to see which other projects Josh Hutcherson has proudly graced this year, this has got to be a major pitfall although it is a dramatic piece and is supposed to evoke sympathy towards its characters. Despite its genre, the film seemed overworked and a scrambled mess from the confusing screenplay to the overly dramatic score which didn't contribute any more emotion than it already had. The storyline felt edited to the point of exhaustion in order to fit the time frame of the film, eventually cutting the ending to a simple solution without contemplating and elaborating about what happened to Josh's mother and the connection between Anne-Marie -- played by the legendary Lauren Bacall -- and the business of art forgery. Instead, the film takes a severe turn into the clichéd happy ending where the leading actor ends up with the girl who caught his attention from the beginning. I don't hold anything against an ending like that, but the filmmakers should at least make an effort to put together the rest of the puzzle for their audience and present a well-rounded story with a minimum amount of plot holes before concluding their story. Contrived and made to look like a cheap television movie, The Forger fails to make a connection with the viewer and loses its essence midway through the film with its lack of chemistry between actors, and shaky production values.

The only part of the film which was pleasant to watch would have to be the breathtaking scenery of Carmel which somehow felt refreshing and diverting -- to my relief -- from the disastrous storyline that just dragged on and on. Of course you could see and experience the same beauty by visiting the town itself or just flicking through photos or documentaries about it, but at least that way there's no need to sit through the mediocrity of this film for about an hour and a half when you could be watching something so much better.

I also don't understand why such high-profile actors would take part in this indie flick. Possibly, they might've considered this project as an opportunity to exhibit the history of Carmel while playing characters that seemed to have a depth to them, but on-screen it didn't quite pan out. I then found out that this film was actually shot in 2009 and was only distributed and publicized this year possibly due to the other blockbusters that Josh Hutcherson has taken part in. I admit that it's a clever way to market your film, but it's also a noticeable weakness on the part of the whole crew since it sheds light on the three-year gap that put the film on hold, presumably because of how little substance and value it possesses among the wide variety of indie films which want to claim their publicity based on the meaning of their story and the strength of their overall production, despite their small budget. It's incredibly sad to see that a film like this could be put into the spotlight due to Hutcherson's recent success in other mainstream films, when there are so many other films which are way more satisfactory and entertaining for both the mind and spirit.

On account of these numerous flaws, it was rather difficult to find a worthy message in the jumbled mess of relationships, unrealistic emotion, and overall plot. There was a splinter of a message about the struggles of belonging and our lifelong journey to find a place which makes us feel comfortable and safe despite all the outside chaos and calamity which shake up our world. Carmel is a picturesque example of serenity, but even in paradise you'll find the presence of peaks and valleys in the land as well as its inhabitants. It can also be said that the environment and community we choose to inhabit, can also determine and give character to our personalities and treatment of others, as well as our appreciation and attention to details and the things we possess and hold so dear.

The Forger may be considered as a worthy resort on its initial preview, but I warn you that the title is extremely fitting in this film's case. An absolute ruse in the presence of other genuinely heartfelt and though out pictures, it not only robs us blind, but also sabotages the reputation of the leading actors and actresses who no doubt can perform roles that are so much more challenging and fueled by a cause greater than themselves. Revealing its true colors, The Forger is one big fraud that is unforgivable without a shadow of a doubt because of its arrogance and pretentious nature; if it were an exhibit, I'd want my money back.

Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

Our favorite herd of incongruous species are back yet again for another wild adventure; this time the tides are changing and the land is shifting to form into a more modern version of planet Earth. Putting the prehistoric animals in danger, they have to race and outrun their limited time constraint in order to survive, but will their adventure be as fresh and exciting as the previous sequels and leave us wanting more? A wisp of doubt is starting to nibble at my heels about the future of the Ice Age franchise and the studio's lack of ability to produce a screenplay and script that can compete with the bigger and more reliable studios like Pixar and Dreamworks.

After the events of the previous installment, this film is set quite a few years later with Manny (voiced by Ray Romano) and Ellie's (voiced by Queen Latifah) daughter Peaches (voiced by Keke Palmer), who is now a teenager, looking to find a possible boyfriend for herself, but at the same time nervous about what her father will think of their relationship. Furtively sneaking out to hang out with other mammoths her age, she immediately falls for a mammoth named Ethan (voiced by Drake) and is willing to do anything to fit in with the others so he would take notice of her. Once her father finds out about her sneaky plans, he does what any father would do: intervene. Embarrassed about her father barging in on their party like that, Peaches condemns her father and wishes that he wasn't her dad. Obviously hurt by Peaches' remarks, Manny gets a small briefing from Ellie that Peaches is not a little girl anymore and she now has the right to experience things on her own and find out what is right and what is wrong if she is to become as wise and smart as her parents. Ellie also tells Manny that Peaches doesn't actually mean what she said and that it's all impulse and in-the-heat-of-the-moment. Just then, the Earth starts to shift quite drastically, forcing the herd to move fast if they are to get to safety before their land is crushed and covered by the approaching cliffs. During the mass hysteria taking place among the herd, Manny, Diego (voiced by Denis Leary), and Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) are stranded on a fractured iceberg and have slowly floated out to sea but Manny is determined to get back to his family no matter what they have to do, and starts to scheme together a plan to make that happen. Just then, a band of pirates have caught up with them and taken them prisoner but Manny refuses to join their crew provoking the wicked Captain Gutt (voiced by Peter Dinklage) to take measures into his own hands and go after the ones who mean the most to him. After crippling and ultimately destroying the pirate ship, the trio and Sid's grandma (voiced by Wanda Sykes)  have to move quickly and swiftly if they want to get back in time and save their loved ones from an even greater force which threatens to wipe out the animals and the habitat which they have grown accustomed to.

At first, I really had hoped that this movie would be as energetic and entertaining as I expect this series to be, but after about halfway through the movie, it dawned on me that the plot is so banal and mundane that you realize just how doomed this series has become over the years. The subplot of Scrat the prehistoric squirrel was more exciting to watch than the continuing journey of the unconventional friendship which we have fallen in love with from the first film, and I can see why they had to bring in a few notable singers such as Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj and other new characters to spice things up a little and deliver some surprisingly funny lines as a diversion from the jaded characters who made the series what it is in their previous adventures. There is a tenuous importance about the story and its message but otherwise it was just all over the place and didn't have enough of a punch to be a memorable addition to the series which only redeems itself because of the first film which was so simple in animation and screenplay yet spoke volumes because it was so heartfelt and poignant in the intent and emotional journey of the characters. If they do indeed wish to continue making further development in the realms of this series, I hope they take a look back at how this story began and pull something from it to produce another great and pungent film which will make the people forgive and forget about the past mistakes of their previous sequels. Highly unlikely, I know, but at least we can still hope and voice our opinions about it.

Like in the previous films in the series, it doesn't depart from the formulaic consensus that centers around keeping family and friends as your first priority. Despite the group's goal to help rescue the family that are stranded back home, they do make room for other animals like Shira the Smilodon, not only because Diego takes a liking to her, but because of empathy from the entire group and the ability to accept and welcome outsiders who don't mean any harm and are trying to do the right thing even if they've been loyal to some of the most despicable creatures out there. The makers also manage to half-handedly present a breach in communication and the culminating reconciliation of the father-daughter relationship between Manny and Peaches which seems like it's been under-dramatized to a certain extent and presented in a very benign and simple manner. It was as if Peaches realized her fault in pushing her father away, so quickly, that the film didn't even take us through the journey of her mental transformation and maturity, but rather shifting the focus to her realizing that it isn't necessary to change yourself in order to fit in with your peers, because all those that really matter are the ones that have been there for her throughout her entire life, during the peaks and valleys. A little childish in delivery, I admit, but still rather easy to follow for the children in the audience, and you can't forget that this is in fact aimed at children, for the most.

Definitely not as good as the first film, but which of the sequels are? Implementing the use of more colors and layers in its animation while cunningly diverting our attention from the central focus of the film for a more enjoyable viewing experience, the highlights of the film are in no way associated with the three main characters, and that speaks volumes about the direction of the series and where its heart lies from now on. Drifting further and further from the characters who we've fallen in love with from the very beginning, you are left wondering why the spotlight and the charisma has fallen on the shoulders of the supporting and newly introduced ones.