Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

In this fourth helping of the popular prehistoric adventure series, Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth and Diego the sabretooth tiger embark on a distinctly Pirates of the Caribbean-style adventure when Scrat the squirrel-rat's obsessive pursuit of that acorn has literally earth-shattering consequences. The continental drift he causes separates the friends from their loved ones, sending them hurtling helplessly into the clutches of an evil pirate ape. Continental Drift lacks the simple, characterful charm of the earlier films, its dependence on frenetic pace and spectacle perhaps indicative of a franchise that's starting to flag. But the computer animation is excellent and the inevitable 3D stylings are pretty decent, too. Overall, there's enough prehysterical fun to ensure that family audiences won't be disappointed.