After more than two decades of prehistoric adventures, the Ice Age franchise returns with its sixth installment, Ice Age 6: Extinction’s Edge. Fans of the beloved series have followed Manny, Sid, Diego, and Scrat through various icy escapades, but does this new entry recapture the charm of the originals, or is it a fossilized attempt at keeping the franchise alive?
With Blue Sky Studios absorbed by Disney and a new creative team at the helm, there was plenty of skepticism about whether Ice Age still had anything fresh to offer. Surprisingly, Extinction’s Edge delivers an adventure that blends nostalgia with high stakes, introducing new characters while giving the original herd a fitting sendoff.
Plot Overview
Set several years after Ice Age: Collision Course (2016), Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo), and Diego (Denis Leary) have settled into their roles as elders of their ever-growing herd. Peaches, Manny’s daughter, has taken on a leadership role, and Sid has finally found love in a quirky sloth named Lyla (voiced by Awkwafina).
However, their peaceful lives are disrupted when Ellie (Queen Latifah) notices a significant shift in the environment—volcanic activity, extreme temperature drops, and a sudden migration of other creatures hint at something ominous. When Buck (Simon Pegg), the swashbuckling weasel, returns with news that a massive ice shelf is collapsing, threatening to wipe out the valley, the herd realizes they must journey to a mysterious frozen island that holds the key to their survival.
New to the series is a saber-toothed tiger named Vega (Florence Pugh), a loner with a tragic past, and a wise yet eccentric woolly mammoth elder named Magnus (Jeff Goldblum), who holds ancient knowledge about the Earth’s changing climate. As the team ventures into uncharted territory, they face new predators, old foes, and the biggest challenge of their lives: the possible extinction of their species.
Returning Characters and Voice Performances
One of the film’s strongest aspects is its voice cast, with original actors reprising their roles and delivering performances that feel just as fresh as they did in 2002.
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Ray Romano as Manny brings his signature dry humor and overprotective dad energy, this time dealing with the fact that Peaches is no longer a little girl.
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John Leguizamo as Sid remains the comic relief, though the film gives him more heartfelt moments, particularly in his relationship with Lyla.
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Denis Leary as Diego gets a more prominent role than in Collision Course, wrestling with his own doubts about the survival of his kind.
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Simon Pegg as Buck once again steals the show, balancing humor with action as the fearless, slightly unhinged weasel.
Among the new additions, Florence Pugh’s Vega brings depth as a tough but wounded warrior, and Jeff Goldblum’s Magnus provides a mix of wisdom and eccentricity, reminiscent of his past roles in Jurassic Park and Thor: Ragnarok.
Animation and Visuals
Given that Ice Age 6 is Disney-backed, the animation is noticeably more refined than previous entries. The icy landscapes are stunning, and the effects—particularly the crumbling glaciers and erupting volcanoes—are breathtaking. The character animation is smoother, giving more life to facial expressions and movement.
The film also makes great use of color contrast, with the dark, foreboding frozen island standing in stark contrast to the bright and familiar valley of the herd.
Comedy and Heart
Despite the apocalyptic stakes, Ice Age 6 still delivers plenty of laughs. Sid’s antics are as ridiculous as ever, and Buck’s bizarre theories about the end of the world lead to some of the film’s funniest moments.
However, what makes this film stand out is its heart. Unlike some of the later Ice Age films that leaned too heavily on slapstick humor, Extinction’s Edge brings back the emotional weight of the first two movies. Manny’s struggles with letting go of Peaches, Diego’s fear of being one of the last sabers left, and Sid’s realization that he might not always be the joke of the herd create genuinely touching moments.
Action and Adventure
The film isn’t just about humor and heart—it’s packed with action. From thrilling ice caverns collapsing beneath the herd’s feet to an intense chase scene involving prehistoric dire wolves, Ice Age 6 delivers high-stakes sequences that keep viewers engaged.
One of the film’s standout moments is the battle against the shadowy villain, a cunning Megaloceros (giant deer) named Noctis (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Unlike previous Ice Age villains who were mostly comedic, Noctis is genuinely menacing, seeking to eliminate any species he deems unfit to survive in the new world.
Scrat’s Return
After being absent from Collision Course, Scrat, the fan-favorite saber-toothed squirrel, makes a grand return. His never-ending pursuit of an acorn becomes intertwined with the main plot, leading to a hilariously unexpected resolution. Without giving too much away, Scrat’s final scene might just be the most satisfying moment in the entire franchise.
Themes and Messages
Despite its lighthearted nature, Ice Age 6 tackles serious themes:
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Climate Change and Survival: The looming environmental catastrophe mirrors real-world climate concerns, making the film feel relevant.
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Family and Legacy: Manny struggles with Peaches growing up, while Diego and Sid face their own fears about what comes next.
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Acceptance of Change: Many of the characters must accept that their world is evolving and that they must evolve with it.
Weaknesses
While Extinction’s Edge is a strong entry, it isn’t without flaws.
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Pacing Issues: The film takes a little too long to get into the main adventure, spending its first act mostly on comedic setup.
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Some Recycled Jokes: While the humor is generally solid, a few gags feel like retreads from earlier movies.
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Not Enough Diego: Though Diego plays a bigger role than in Collision Course, he still feels underused compared to earlier films.
The Ending – A Farewell or a New Beginning?
The film concludes on a bittersweet note, with the herd finding safety but realizing that their world has changed forever. Manny and Ellie pass the leadership torch to Peaches, Diego and Vega hint at a possible future together, and Sid—after years of failed relationships—finally finds someone who truly loves him.
As for Rattlesnake Jake… I mean, Noctis? Let’s just say his fate is as icy as the setting.
The final shot—Scrat standing atop a glacier, looking out at a vast, changing world—suggests that while this might be the end of Ice Age as we know it, the spirit of adventure will always live on.
Final Verdict
Ice Age 6: Extinction’s Edge is a surprisingly strong sequel that breathes new life into a franchise that many thought had run its course. With breathtaking animation, great humor, and an emotional core that rivals the original Ice Age, it proves that there’s still some warmth left in this prehistoric world.
Final Score: 8.5/10 – A Worthy (and Possibly Final) Ice Age Adventure
If this is truly the end of Ice Age, it’s a satisfying sendoff. But if the franchise continues, Extinction’s Edge sets the stage for a new generation of characters to lead the way. Either way, fans will leave the theater smiling—maybe even with a tear or two.
