Director:
Eric Darnell

Cast:
Ben Stiller
Chris Rock
David Schwimmer
Jada Pickett Smith

Official URL:

http://www.madagascar-themovie.com

Country: USA
Rating: pg
Studio Name: Dreamworks Pictures
Running Time: 86 mins
Release Date: May 27, 2005

Critics's Rating:
(2 1/2 Reels out of 4) 

May 18, 2005

By Veronica Mixon

Madagascar is a cute kid’s comedy with a bunch of lovable zoo animals but this Dreamworks animation film fails to live up to the company’s best efforts of the recent past like Shrek.

In Madagascar, a lion, zebra, hippopotamus and giraffe abandon their comfortable life in the New York Zoo the excitement of the wilds of Africa. Alex, the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller (Meet the Fockers) is the star attraction at the Zoo and he adores all of human attention and the juicy steak meals. His best friends are Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer TV’s Friends) and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith Collateral). Marty yearns to explore life outside of the zoo and after realizing that the Penguins are planning their own escape, decides to venture out to the wilds of Connecticut. When his friends realize that he’s gone, they follow him and after they’re recaptured by the humans, they’re transferred to the Kenyan Wildlife preserve. But, the nutty Penguins foil that plan and Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are marooned on the tropical island of Madagascar. The native population of Lemurs led by King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen Da Ali G Show) and Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer Be Cool) welcome them because they chase away the predators. But, Alex’s behavior changes as his hunger grows because there a no humans to feed him.

Madagascar is a slight animation effort that looks great but like last year’s Shark Tale lacks truly compelling characters and storyline. The first part is delightful for kids with loads of jokes (like the penguins spraying the parents) and Alex wowing the crowds. But the implications of Alex’s growing hunger in the second half of the film raises real issues that are brushed aside. The cuteness of Melman’s hypochondria and Gloria’s take charge attitude is lost. There is, however, a great musical number led by the whacky King Julien. But, the clever genius of Shrek is no where to be found despite references to Saturday Night Fever and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Madagascar is best suited for young kids.

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