Sunday 7 March 2010

Movie 65: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

The animals from the first film have “repaired” King Julian’s plane, and set off for New York. However it barely flies and they end up crash landing in the wildlife preserve that Alex the lion originated from (the film starts with a flash back). Alex has to pass a test to become a full fledged adult member of the pride, and fails. He then has to try and get back in with the help from his friends who have all found a home.

And frankly no one cares about that lot as its all about the penguins, who are hilarious. The rest, not so much.

This does have some nice touches. All the zebras being voiced by Chris Rock and being essentially identical is funny. King Julian has his crazy assed moments though I wasn’t that big a fan of his to begin with. But those penguins…

This is a problem that the Ice Age films have shared with Madagascar. At some point you will find yourself waiting for the B story with the best characters to come up. In Ice Age that’s Scrat, in the Madagascar films it’s the penguins. Whether Scrat could stand a 90 minute film I don’t know, but he works very well in shorts. The penguins are the basis for a TV spin off that I haven’t seen any of, but I think they MIGHT be able to hold their own.

This is an enjoyable kids cartoon, and the main character story arcs are pretty decent if a bit low on the laughs. It’s worth a shot just for the guys in black and white though. And granny is pretty funny.

Sorry this is a bit short, I watched the film on Friday then went to my cousins wedding and I’m now reviewing it on Sunday….

Next up: Skinwalkers

No comments: