The DVD release of ICE AGE 2: The Meltdown will certainly delight any kid who loves a healthy dose of playground antics and knock-knock jokes - and it's special features are plentiful.
There are several animated shorts; One starring Scrat, the nut-obsessed squirrel and 3 starring the possum duo of Crash and Eddie with bloopers. There are also introductions to the new characters seen in Ice Age: The Meltdown including Crash and Eddie and their confused adopted sister Ellie (voiced by Queen Latifah). I must say, it's slightly disappointing that you don't get to see Queen Latifah in the booth actually recording the voice alongside Ray Romano's Mammoth downer Manny. - In fact, you don't get to see any of the voice cast ... except John Leguizamo explaining to younger viewers how to recreate Sid's lisp voice include sucking on lemons, eating chocolate and crackers.
Also aiming to entertain and educate are mini documentaries or 'Lost Historical Films on the Ice Age Period' that probably should be watched with adults as it mixes fact and fiction of the creatures seen in film and could easily confuse younger viewers.
For older viewers, there is the audio commentary with Director Carlos Saldanha, Producer Lori Forte and the Production Team, plus tonnes of animated storyboard featurettes, sound effects lab and marketing promos and trailers included.
And should you want, there are also several games included on the DVD including playing soccer with a Dodo bird and a quiz.
