The Ice Age films are a mixed bag. But as fourquels go, this certainly could be an awful lot worse. The plot basically features Manny and his "herd" journeying to reunite themselves with people they've lost, which isn't exactly breaking new ground for the franchise. However, this is a more joke-heavy film than we've seen in the series before and with the addition of some fantastic new characters (Sid's Gran chief amongst them), there are more laughs to be had than in any of the "hilarious R-rated comedies" we have to deal with from the school of Apatow.

When the film shifts its focus to Manny's progeny Peaches though, it tends to fall apart as the characters are simply annoying high school stereotypes transplanted into mammoths. These segments of the film are very weak indeed and, in fact, the whole film stinks of jokes and situations that we've seen before. It's so keen to stick to the winning formula that it forgets to push the storyline elsewhere.

It won't surprise anyone when I say that without doubt the best thing about the film is Scrat. From the very beginning where he inadvertently sets into motion the titular tectonic movement to the very end (which I won't spoil here), his eternal search for his acorn is the beating heart of the movie. And here it thrives, used to join up narrative holes masterfully rather than simply being a sideshow.

Ice Age 4 is by no means the best film of the franchise, leaves absolutely no mark on the audience and it's far from perfect. But what it is is unashamedly silly family fun that people of all ages can enjoy.