“Ice Age” was funny enough to be entertaining.

Although the plot was somewhat weak in some places and a little slow in others, the characters tended to be believable enough to make up for whatever the story lacked.

In “Ice Age,” a misfit bunch of prehistoric mammals try to return a human baby to its family.

The characters were well developed.

Distinct personalities, from the giant mammoth Manfred (voiced by Ray Romano), to his frenzied sidekick Sid the Sloth (John Leguizamo), to the wary, two-faced sabertooth, Diego (Denis Leary), gave the movie depth.

While they may be “the weirdest herd ever” (as Sid quips), they are quite lovable — and entertaining.

Scrat — a squirrel/rat creature who endures fiasco after fiasco with an acorn — was amusing, but the scene where the gang battles a platoon of dodos for a melon is ludicrous.

The roller coaster rides got old quickly, and the sentimental parts didn’t seem to fit in. However, the themes of friendship and sacrifice were almost profound.

The computer animation was wonderfully detailed, such as powdery snow and flowing water.

Most kids will enjoy it, and adults may get a few corny laughs.

“Ice Age” is worth seeing if you like “Chicken Run,” “Toy Story” or “Monsters, Inc.” It’s not as outrageously hilarious as “Shrek,” but I liked it better for the characters.

The running time is one hour, 22 minutes. “Ice Age” is rated PG for mild peril.