Monday, July 18, 2016

The Latest 'Ice Age' Installment Is Hella Cool



By Darlene Donloe

On July 22, the world will be taken over by the Ice Age: Collision Course.

The fifth installment of this 3D animated comedy franchise doesn’t disappoint. The gang’s all here!

This time around Scrat sets off on another crazy adventure.

This time his epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. 

It could happen!

To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters. 

This film is too much fun!  It’s a perfect family film.

(l-r) John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Wanda Sykes and Ray Romano


I caught up with the cast recently to discuss the latest Ice Age adventure.

The film stars Queen Latifah (QL), John Leguizamo (JL), Wanda Sykes (WS), Ray Romano (RR), Josh Peck (JP) and Max Greenfield (MG). It’s produced by Lori Forte (LF).

DD: Lori, how long does it take to make one of the films and what is the state of the franchise?

LF:  Each film takes four to four and a half years to make. It’s a long process. The state of the franchise is well. We did a Christmas and an Easter special. We also did some Scrat shorts.  I’d love Crash and Eddie to have a short.

DD: Josh, you play a character that is totally loved.

JP: It’s been kind of cool to have been part of this since 2005. I’ve done it now five times. It’s funny to realize that Eddie has totally not evolved.

DD: Max, you also play a great character.

MG: I was so flattered and excited when I was asked to be part of it. I have a six-year-old daughter. I’m in something we can experience together. I’m lucky this came to me. It was a no-brainer.  I get to work with some unbelievable people. I like the challenge of doing something outside New Girl.

DD: John, without revealing with whom, you find love.

JL: Finally I get to schmooze. She’s hot, too!
Francine was a pain in my sloth butt.

DD: Ray, how does doing voiceover work improve your acting?

RR: It’s another skill. It took me a while to emote without being able to move your body. I don’t’ know how that helps with your acting, but it’s another skill.

DD: Ray and John, do you get kids coming up to you wanting you to do the voice?

RR:  The kids do come up to me.  Actually, the parents come up to me and they tell the kids who I am. It could go either way at that point.

JL: Ooh, yeah, well. It’s the parents. The parents want me to do the voice. I try to tell them that it might not go so well. I try to warn them.

DD: Wanda, what is the attraction for doing this film?

WS: Well, I’m excited for this one. The last time I did it my kids were too young to know the voice. For me it’s about being able to have something out there that the family can go see. (to her co-stars) Doesn’t it bug you when you look out and see a kid at your comedy show? You’re thinking, who the hell brought their kid? It’s just good to have something for the kids to see.

Queen Latifah

DD: Your thoughts Queen Latifah?

QL: I’m going to be a hero to my nephew and nieces again. To have something the kids can enjoy this will be part of their childhood memory. This gets to be part of their life experience. That is so cool.

JL: It’s so interesting. I’ve met people who are 20. They grew up with Ice Age. I don’t know what that says about us.

DD: This movie speaks to a possible end of the world. Have any of you prepared for a catastrophe? Do you have a kit available?

JL: I live in New York, so I do have one. I have an inflatable kayak for four people. I have a Hazmat suits and gas masks.  New Yorkers are paranoid. You know if something happens, it’s going to happen in New York.

QL: I have one, it’s called a bible. I crack it regularly just to make sure.

WS: I need to update my kit. I need to do one for after kids. I had one for before kids. I have one now. It has a flashlight, water, weed and wine. The flashlight is so I can find my weed and wine.

RR: I have a flashlight and Cialis, just in case I’m the last guy.



DD: Have you met your Mexican counterparts?

JL: It’s huge in Mexico. Ice Age is huge there. It’s all about family. Doesn’t matter what family you come from.

QL: No, I haven’t met them.  I gotta practice my Spanish. I can’t have someone do a better job then me.

DD: This is the fifth installment of the franchise.

RR: The real Ice Age didn’t last this long.


The English-speaking voice cast for Ice Age: Collision Course includes: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, Adam Devine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Wanda Sykes, Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Strahan, Melissa Rauch and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Ice Age: Collision Course is directed by Michael Thurmeier, co-directed by Galen Tan Chu and produced by Lori Forte.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), Ice Age: Collision Course gets an E (excellent).

 #IceAge #CollisionCourse









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