A Warming Trend

The animals hold on for dear life in "Ice Age: The Meltdown," now on DVD.

"An Inconvenient Truth" (List price: $19.99) and "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (List price: $29.98)
Release Dates: Nov. 21

The documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" and the animated family film "Ice Age: The Meltdown," debuting today on DVD, share one thing in common: Both may get viewers talking about global warming.

Al Gore may be the movie's star, but political leanings are largely irrelevent in "Truth," Davis Guggenheim's absorbing look at the former vice president's international campaign to inform the public about the dangers of global warming. If the slideshow presentation on climate change, which comprises much of the movie, isn't enough to cause environmental alarm, the DVD also includes a new half-hour interview with Gore in which he provides the latest evidence of global warming's effects. Other extras include a pair of dull commentary tracks by Guggenheim and the film's producers and a featurette on the making of "An Inconvenient Truth" that can, conveniently, be skipped. Perhaps most impressive is the way the DVD is packaged; in keeping with the mission of "Truth," the single-disc DVD is encased in 100-percent recycled material, and a portion of its sales will be donated to the bipartisan Alliance for Climate Protection.

While Gore's documentary is far from dry, younger audiences will probably be more captivated by the colorful "Ice Age: The Meltdown." The cartoon never addresses climate change in so many words, but its plot centers on the warming of the Earth's atmosphere and the rapid, detrimental effects on animal life. Consider it a softer, kiddie-oriented take on "An Inconvenient Truth," with cuddlier characters and better sight gags.

Although the theatrical release earned mixed reviews, I have a special place in my heart for creative animated flicks like this one. The single disc also boasts enough extras to satisfy most fans of the franchise, including two commentary tracks; 10 thorough featurettes; bloopers; four games; and a new animated short, "No Time for Nuts," that gives some additional screen time to the acorn-crazed squirrel, Scrat.

The simultaneous release of these two DVDs is probably a mere coincidence. Then again, maybe Hollywood is subtly suggesting that all of us -- both the documentary-watchers and the animation aficionados -- should spend more time thinking about ways we can make the world a better, healthier place.

Best Bonus Point: "An Inconvenient Truth" doesn't just warn audiences about global warming. The jacket of the DVD suggests simple ways -- from using less hot water to checking our tire pressure -- all of us can take action today.

Most Charming Bonus Point: John Leguizamo appears twice on the "Ice Age: The Meltdown" DVD extras: first to teach viewers how to talk like his character, Sid, and again to break down some of the sloth's dance moves and tribal chants. Leguizamo seemingly feels no embarrassment as he bobs his neck like a chicken, makes monkey noises and rolls around on the ground, all of which should give children (and adults) a case of the giggles.

Most Surprisingly Informative Bonus Point: Using clips from the film, the "Ice Age" featurette, "Lost Historical Films on the Ice Age Period," delivers six brief, hysterical and amazingly informative definitions of the animals from the movie, including the woolly mammoth, saber-tooth squirrel and vulture.

Also on DVD This Week: "You, Me and Dupree" and more.

For more on new DVDs, visit washingtonpost.com's DVD section.