DVD Release Date:  October 27, 2009
Theatrical Release Date:  July 1, 2009 
Rating:  PG (for some mild rude humor and peril)
Genre:  Family/Comedy
Run Time:  94 min.
Directors:  Carlos Saldanha, Mike Thurmeier
Voices by:  Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Simon Pegg, Seann William Scott, Kristen Wiig

Lacking the goofy humor and inherent charms of its predecessors, the creative team behind Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs decided that a smattering of 3-D action sequences featuring those prehistoric creatures would be enough to keep fans happy the third time around.

And while their efforts weren't a total bust, thanks to colorful animation, some cool CGI effects and a decent accompanying soundtrack, it's simply not enough to elevate the flick from mediocrity. In fact, these usually lovable characters have never seemed more mundane, whether it's Manny (Ray Romano) a neurotic wooly mammoth who's nervous about being a father or Diego (Denis Leary), a slightly depressed saber-tooth lion who fears he's losing his edge now that his friends are settling into domestic life.

Maybe the reason the movie feels so hum-drum is because these themes really don't resonate that much with the target audience. While it's perfectly appropriate for Kate and Leo to debate the merits of a suburban existence in a heavy drama like Revolutionary Road, this isn't exactly the stuff that kids worry about. Even the Pixar folks made sure to include kid-friendly dogs, brightly colored balloons and a funny, pint-sized sidekick in Up, a story that could've been way too serious without those light comedic touches.

The only bright spot in this otherwise dismal affair belongs to a silly, unfortunate looking sloth named Sid (John Leguizamo) with a serious case of baby envy. Now that his friends Manny and Ellie (Queen Latifah) are becoming parents, Sid longs to start a family of his own. Since there doesn't seem to be any cute female sloth counterparts roaming around, however, Sid opts for the next best option—adoption.

Of course, the three eggs that Sid eventually discovers already have a rightful owner. But that doesn't exactly deter him from loving and embracing them as his own. Excited about his new parental responsibilities, Sid even draws faces on the eggs with magic markers, names them and happily drags them along everywhere he goes—no matter how unwieldy they are. Well, until the huge Mama Dino emerges to spoil his fun and reclaim her babies—and their adoptive father, too.

When Manny hears that Sid is in trouble, "I told you so" is his immediate thought, given that he's warned Sid that taking those eggs was a bad idea. But with the less than gentle nudging of Ellie, Manny decides to save Sid from becoming the dinosaurs' dinner. With help from newcomer Buck (Simon Pegg channeling Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean), a swashbuckling weasel with a penchant with adventure, Manny, Ellie, Diego and a couple of precocious possums embark on a madcap search and rescue mission involving plenty of those larger-than-life prehistoric creatures.