I would like to take a moment to say something.

I have suspected this for a while, but would like to make an official statement.

Ahem.


Blue Sky Studios is the BEST. FREAKING. ANIMATION. STUDIO. ON. THE. PLANET.


That is all.





Well.
Not quite.







Okay, so I just got back from Ice Age 3, and letmetellyou- it was worth EVERY. PENNY.


I'm serious. And I mean- I was WORRIED. Between critical critic reviews and the last ice age, well, sucking (in my opinion at least), I really was a bit nervous.

But still.
I mean, it wasn't like i wasn't going to go.

I mean, they made HORTON for pete's sakes- and you know....


*cough*


...that's kinda been a hit with me, so....



Anydangway.
Needless to say, the third installment? EXCELLENT.

Excellent animation (swift and quick and spring-y and stylized (basically my favorite kind).

Excellent sets (i know that sounds weird, but TRUST ME, the environment is JAW-DROPPING in scope and size and well....awesomeness).

Excellent return of old characters (sid and scratt were particular
favorites, once again).

And excellent, EXCELLENT inclusion of the newest character: H'omgCANWESAY, BUCK WILD??

In all serious folks, go see this movie. For one thing, it blows the roof off of what previously have been technological limitations of animation. For another, it's FUNNY. I laughed. A lot. Particularly at Buck's lines. Which were amazing.


And you know what I loved MOST about the whole thing? (and blue sky movies in general?)

They're isolated.

The worlds that are created within their movies, though obviously open in terms of expansion potential (including the ability for fans to get creative with the universes and whoniverses ), aren't weighed down by pop-culture references and limited connections to "the real world."

Not that I mind pop culture. I love a good kathy griffin joke.

But with seemingly EVERY animated movie trying to be the newest "Shrek", well....


...it's nice to have a movie whose world isn't affected by E! news
That's all I'm sayin'.




I'm so glad I saw it.
Please expect fanart.



OH.


And uh....

For those in the know?



Buck = Indiana Jones + Crocodile Hunter + Uncle Bob.




Just sayin'.