Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

Detailed Summary

Scrat’s Misadventures and the Cause of Everything

As usual, Scrat, the saber-toothed squirrel, causes chaos by chasing his acorn. This time, he accidentally triggers continental drift by cracking Earth’s crust, setting off the events of the movie.

Manny’s Family Drama

Manny (Ray Romano) is overprotective of his teenage daughter, Peaches, who wants more independence and struggles with her father’s rules. Their strained relationship becomes a major emotional thread throughout the story.

Separation by Continental Drift

When the continents shift apart, Manny, Diego, and Sid are separated from their families and swept out to sea on a chunk of ice. Manny vows to return home no matter what. Sid’s eccentric grandmother, Granny, tags along, adding comic relief with her bizarre stories and pet “Precious.”

The Pirates Appear

The group encounters Captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage), a ruthless ape leading a pirate crew. He attempts to force Manny’s group to join them. Of course, Manny refuses, leading to a battle and an ongoing rivalry that fuels the adventure.

Peaches and Friendships

Meanwhile, back on land, Peaches struggles with peer pressure as she tries to fit in with a group of teenage mammoths. She learns valuable lessons about loyalty and staying true to herself, especially through her friendship with Louis, a molehog who genuinely cares about her.

The Climax

Manny and his crew finally face off against Captain Gutt in a massive showdown. Thanks to teamwork (and Granny’s surprisingly useful pet whale), the pirates are defeated. Gutt gets his comeuppance, left stranded and powerless.

Movie Ending

The film closes with Manny finally reuniting with Ellie and Peaches, proving his determination to return home. Their family bond is stronger than before, with Manny learning to give Peaches more freedom, and Peaches understanding her father’s love and concern. Sid finds validation as his Granny praises him, and Diego, who struggled with loneliness earlier in the film, finds companionship with Shira, a female saber-toothed tiger from Gutt’s crew who switches sides. Scrat, however, ends the movie in typical fashion: chasing his acorn all the way to a mythical “Scratlantis.” In his usual clumsy style, he ruins it, causing the paradise to collapse and leaving him once again acorn-less.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Ice Age: Continental Drift does not have post-credits scenes. The story concludes with Scrat’s Atlantis gag, followed by standard credits.

Type of Movie

This is an animated family adventure-comedy with elements of action and fantasy. It continues the saga of Ice Age but adds more swashbuckling flair with its pirate subplot.

Cast

• Ray Romano as Manny
• John Leguizamo as Sid
• Denis Leary as Diego
• Queen Latifah as Ellie
• Seann William Scott as Crash
• Josh Peck as Eddie
• Keke Palmer as Peaches
• Peter Dinklage as Captain Gutt
• Jennifer Lopez as Shira
• Wanda Sykes as Granny

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Powell, who also worked on the previous Ice Age films. His music combines sweeping orchestral themes with playful, comedic cues to match the characters’ antics.

Filming Locations

As a fully animated film, the production took place in Blue Sky Studios in Greenwich, Connecticut. While there were no physical locations, the animators used research trips and scientific models of continental drift to shape the movie’s settings.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated for several Annie Awards (animation industry’s top awards)
• Nominated for Kids’ Choice Awards categories such as Favorite Voice and Favorite Animated Movie
• While it didn’t win major critical awards, it performed strongly at the box office, especially internationally.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Peter Dinklage recorded his pirate songs himself, surprising the team with his singing talent.
• The animation team created entirely new water simulation software to handle the vast ocean scenes.
• Jennifer Lopez joined as Shira to bring more star power and a new romantic angle for Diego.
• The film was one of the first Ice Age movies to be released in 3D, adding more immersive action.

Inspirations and References

The concept of the continents splitting apart was loosely inspired by plate tectonics. The pirate theme was added to give the drifting-ice adventure a fresh twist. Scrat’s “Atlantis” subplot pokes fun at myths and legendary civilizations.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes featured extended gags with Scrat and Granny. Early drafts had Shira as a more villainous character, but the creators shifted her arc to redemption and romance with Diego.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A junior novelization of the film was released. While faithful to the movie, it provides more insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions, especially Manny’s worries and Peaches’ teenage struggles.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening sequence where Scrat causes continental drift.
• Manny’s heartfelt promise to return to his family while stranded at sea.
• The pirate ship battle between Manny’s group and Captain Gutt’s crew.
• Granny’s surprising reveal of her whale, “Precious,” saving the group.

Iconic Quotes

• Manny: “No matter what, I will always come back to you.”
• Sid (to Granny): “You have a pet whale?”
• Granny: “Yep. Precious! Come to Mama!”
• Captain Gutt: “There’s no one out here who can challenge the mighty Gutt!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Scratlantis sequence includes quick visual nods to Atlantis myths and treasure-filled city designs.
• The animators hid acorns in several background shots as a nod to Scrat’s obsession.
• Sid’s Granny was inspired by classic Looney Tunes–style humor, deliberately exaggerated in design and personality.

Trivia

• This is the fourth film in the Ice Age franchise.
• It was the first Ice Age film without any involvement from Chris Wedge (voice of Scrat and director of the first film).
• The movie grossed over $877 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Ice Age movie.

Why Watch?

Watch this if you want lighthearted family fun, filled with pirate antics, heartfelt family lessons, and the usual Ice Age mix of slapstick comedy and emotional warmth. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s entertaining and visually energetic.

Director’s Other Movies

Directed by Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier, who also worked on:

• Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
• The Peanuts Movie (2015)
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
• Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Ice Age: Collision Course (2016)
• Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)
• Rio (2011)
• Finding Nemo (2003)
• Happy Feet (2006)
• Shrek Forever After (2010)