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There’s nothing like a good animated film with warm, fuzzy animals to make one feel like a kid at heart again. For all those looking to find their inner child out there, the new film “Ice Age: The Meltdown” is worth checking out.

“Ice Age: The Meltdown” is the sequel to 2002’s “Ice Age.” It is the continuing story of Diego the saber-tooth tiger (Denis Leary), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) and Manny the mastodon (Ray Romano), who believes he is the last of his species.

After discovering a huge dam of ice is breaking apart, all the animals living within the nearby valley frantically begin to migrate. They head toward a boat that they believe will safely carry them to dry land. But the ice is melting and breaking off at a rapid speed (global warming existed back then too, even without the help of aerosol cans).

The rest of the movie is about the trio’s journey to the boat. They get sidetracked several times and end up not only having to save themselves, but attempting to save two possums and a mastodon that believes she is a possum herself.

Though this movie is jam-packed with Hollywood stars, “Ice Age: The Meltdown” is no “Shrek.” Sure, there are a few puns here and there that’ll make you chuckle, but for the most part, the jokes are silly and stupid. Maybe that’s the point, as this movie is geared toward children.

For those into more sophisticated humor, have no fear, there are jokes for you, too. Viewers will quickly understand why this movie got a “PG” rating rather than the standard “G” rating attached to most children’s movies.

The funniest part of the movie wasn’t the plot itself, but the side story about a deranged saber-tooth squirrel named Scrat (Chris Wedge). Most have seen him in the commercials and trailers as he attempts to capture a nut but fails almost every time. Watching this poor creature stupidly risk his life for one measly nut is more entertaining than both “Ice Age” movies combined.

This is not to say that “Ice Age: The Meltdown” is a terrible movie. It’s actually better than the first, which is a great improvement for the career of Leguizamo. And, believe it or not, “Ice Age: The Meltdown” is action-packed and has moments that leaves viewers at the edge of their seat, waiting to see if these animals will survive into the next time period.

Any kid at heart should not be ashamed to see this movie – they’ll probably get a kick out of it.

-‘Ice Age: The Meltdown’ is currently in theaters.