“The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” is a 2022 animated adventure comedy film, marking the sixth installment in the “Ice Age” franchise. Directed by John C. Donkin, the film stars the voices of Simon Pegg, Vincent Tong, Aaron Harris, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Justina Machado. Originally planned as a TV series, it was redeveloped into a feature-length film, released as a Disney+ original.
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Table of Contents
Plot
The story follows opossum brothers Crash and Eddie, who seek independence and adventure in the Lost World, a land of dinosaurs. They reunite with Buck Wild, an eccentric one-eyed weasel, and face off against Orson, a villainous Protoceratops. The narrative unfolds with themes of teamwork, courage, and friendship.
Cast
- Simon Pegg as Buckminster “Buck” Wild
- Utkarsh Ambudkar as Orson
- Justina Machado as Zee
- Vincent Tong and Aaron Harris as Crash and Eddie
- Other cast includes Dominique Jennings, Jake Green, Sean Kenin Elias-Reyes, Skyler Stone, and additional voices.
Production
Initially a TV project, it shifted to a film format under Disney’s wing after Blue Sky Studios’ closure. The animation was outsourced to Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, with about 80 people working remotely due to the pandemic.
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Release
The film debuted on Disney+ on January 28, 2022. Despite being under the Walt Disney Pictures label, it lacked involvement from Blue Sky Studios, the original creators of the Ice Age series.
Reception
The film received generally negative reviews, criticized for its focus away from Buck, recasting of voice actors, animation quality, and the absence of Scrat, a franchise staple. It holds a 19% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 30 on Metacritic.
Conclusion
“The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” represents a continuation of a beloved franchise, yet falls short of its predecessors’ charm and quality. While it attempts to capture the essence of the “Ice Age” series, it struggles with its identity, reflecting the challenges of shifting production circumstances and the absence of the original creators.
