Children and adults alike, should laugh out loud to the antics of one of the most amusing computer-animated characters created, Scratch, in the new FOX dvd release, "ICE AGE".  Scratch is a rodent from the "ICE AGE", half-squirrel and half rat.  This reviewer remembers laughing and being entertained in rare form upon first viewing the trailer to this film sometime ago, consisting of Scratch trying to take care of an acorn and creating an avalanche in the process! It's great animation, and witty! 

"ICE AGE" doesn't have a "big" plot, but the characters are so original and funny, that it really doesn't matter.  John Leguizamo is the voice of Sid, a Sloth, and his two friends, Manny the Mammoth(Ray Romano) and Diego the Sabre-toothed tiger(Dennis Leary). With the oncoming "ICE AGE", these friends band together and learn through some major ordeals about courage, integrity and friendship.  When Sid and Manny rescue a baby human, unsuccessfully kidnapped by the clan of tigers, with which Diego is part of, they decide to return him to his parents.  Diego, at first, goes along with sinister motives. He wants to steal the baby back again for his brethren, but, along the journey, he and his friends grow to care for the little tyke. 

The computer animation is incredible! What separates this from a film like "DINOSAUR" besides this not being boring as hell, is that this looks incredible from beginning to end! It's a journey worth taking for many reasons! 
 

FOX has presented the film in its original 1.85:1 format with THX encoding and 16:9 enhancement, as well as a full frame version, on the same disc!  The colors, needless to say, are incredible! This image is flawless! There's "NOTHING" negative to say about this transfer! It's terrific from beginning to end!

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is extremely aggressive!  It offers a creative and stirring mix, engulfing the listener, more with effects than with the Randy Newman score, but even that's pleasing!  There's a fair amount of Bass as well! Dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion, even within layers of effects. 

This two-disc set has tons of extras!  On the first disc, along with widescreen & fullscreen options, there's also a commentary with the film's directors, a THX audio/video test, and interactive games.

The 2nd disc offers a lot of supplements, but our favorites is the short, "Scrat's Missing Adventure."  There are also deleted scenes with or without commentary, multiple angle options for different scenes, behind-the-scenes segments, and much more!   This one's a perfect Holiday stocking stuffer for everyone!