Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Reviews from the Dark Side presents
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Released 6/8/12, now in theaters

This third installment of the popular Dreamworks franchise follows the further misadventures of lost in the wild Manhattan Zoo animals, Alex the Lion (voice of Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the hypochondriac Giraffe (David Schwimmer). Assisting (or hindering depending how you look at it) them are lemurs, King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer), and Mort (Andy Richter). And let's not forget there's still a healthy dose of those four commando-like penguins, Skipper, Private, Rico, and Kowalski.

Madagascar 3 starts several days (months?) after the end of Madagascar 2 with Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman in Africa waiting for the penguins and chimpanzees to return from Monte Carlo in their makeshift, chimp- powered airplane to pick them up for a trip back to New York. While the others probably wouldn't mind making a home in the wild, Alex is the most homesick and desperate to get back to his fame being the star zoo attraction. Even his friends' attempt to cheer him up with a mud composed model of NYC isn't enough to cheer him up. Deciding that the penguins and chimps have reneged on their promise and abandoned them, the group, along with the lemurs, swim their way to Monte Carlo to take their rescuers to task for their abandonment and make their way back to the U.S.

  Things go awry when the crew accidentally crashes through the casino where the penguins and chimps are playing roulette (disguised as a human named "The King of Versailles"). They're chased through the streets by French authorities led by the demented leader of animal control, Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand). After a wild escape from DuBois (who vows revenge) in the chimp plane, the menagerie crash lands in a train yard in France. With more authorities closing in, all stow away on a circus train headed to Rome.  Alex, Gloria, Marty, and Melman lie claiming they are  circus animals from America to gain entry to the train from the animals that are part of this circus including Vitaly the Tiger (Bryan Cranston), Gia the Jaguar (Jessica Chastain), and Stefano the Sea Lion (Martin Short).

 The circus will be traveling to London after its stint in Rome where the operation will be evaluated by an American promoter who may bring it to the U.S. if he likes what he sees.  Before the zoo gang's cover is blown, the penguins and chimps buy the circus (again as the King of Versailles) from the all-to-happy human owners with their gambling winnings.  But, as the zoo gang discovers on opening night in Rome, the animal performers aren't very good.  So now it's up to them to whip the circus back into shape before the big premier in London if they have any hope of returning to America.  They also have to dodge the vengeful Captain DuBois who has no problam about crossing borders to catch the "fugitives."  And if they reach America, will they feel the same about their old home?

This third installment of Madagascar is the chapter that is most aimed at children in my opinion.  Even with its PG rating, I thought I was watching a Disney movie at times.  That is not saying I didn't like Madagascar 3.  I did enjoy it but I just didn't feel it was quite as irreverent as the other two installments.  I think it also suffers from too many new characters introduced through the circus.  I somewhat grew tired of them as the movie progressed.  It seems that most critics' reviews I've read primarily like this movie over the other two.  Maybe it's because I have something of a resistance to things I consider too "kiddie" that I am not in agreement.  Maybe it's because I don't have children.  Maybe it's all of the above.  I just didn't think Madagascar 3 was quite as "craka-lakin'" as Marty would say. 

While the four main characters are funny in their own right, once again the show is stolen by those resourceful penguins and to a lesser extent, King Julien.  The penguins have always garnered the biggest laughs and still do in Madagascar 3.  There is no doubt they are on par with the best supporting characters in animated films including Donkey from the Shrek series, The Scrat from Ice Age, and the Minions from Despicable Me.  King Julien?  What can you say?  He's just as out of it as ever when he starts a romance with Sonya the Bear (kind of a disgusting character in appearance).  But many just want to hear his signature song "I Like to Move It."  He doesn't disappoint.

If you see this movie, see it in 3D.  This is one instance where great care was taken in the production and it shows.  So I'll leave this review with one last thought for all of you. 

Da da dadada da da...circus, da da dadada...afro.  Circus...afro...circus...afro...polka dots, polka dots, polka dots...afro! 

You'll get that after you see the movie.

The Dark Lord of the Sith says:

***1/4 stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.