It’s been a while since I’ve seen the first Madagascar film – I liked it, but I guess it wasn’t worth multiple viewings – and I can remember so little of Madagascar 2 I’m not entirely sure if I ever actually saw the whole thing. Since the first two films having failed to make an impression on me, I questioned how well the newest sequel, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, would turn out.
Overall, I liked the film quite a bit, but I don’t think it will end up being one that I will remember in years to come.
In Madagascar 3, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, and the penguins are still trying to get home. The solution seems to be with a traveling circus who, if they impress a talent scout, will earn themselves a free pass to New York. All the while they are pursued by a merciless animal control officer who will do anything to mount Alex’s head on her wall.
Most impressive were the film’s visuals. The 3D in the movie was actually pretty darn good, adding to the excitement rather than being a distraction. The most striking scene is the thrilling performance the circus delivers in London, delivering vibrant colors and gripping feats. This is the first time in the Madagascar series that the filmmakers truly strove to blow audiences away and it really works, making us wish they had been so ambitious in the first two films. The London scene, as well as the film’s climax, are visually stunning and exciting. Those two scenes alone make the film worth watching.
Madagascar 3 not only looks good, but feels good too; it’s a movie with heart. The animals (and the audience) learn some good lessons along the way about friendship and finding home and there are some sweet character moments that just make you say “Awww.”
Overall, I liked the film quite a bit, but I don’t think it will end up being one that I will remember in years to come.
In Madagascar 3, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, and the penguins are still trying to get home. The solution seems to be with a traveling circus who, if they impress a talent scout, will earn themselves a free pass to New York. All the while they are pursued by a merciless animal control officer who will do anything to mount Alex’s head on her wall.
Most impressive were the film’s visuals. The 3D in the movie was actually pretty darn good, adding to the excitement rather than being a distraction. The most striking scene is the thrilling performance the circus delivers in London, delivering vibrant colors and gripping feats. This is the first time in the Madagascar series that the filmmakers truly strove to blow audiences away and it really works, making us wish they had been so ambitious in the first two films. The London scene, as well as the film’s climax, are visually stunning and exciting. Those two scenes alone make the film worth watching.
Madagascar 3 not only looks good, but feels good too; it’s a movie with heart. The animals (and the audience) learn some good lessons along the way about friendship and finding home and there are some sweet character moments that just make you say “Awww.”
The humor is decent, although it seems to come in sporadic bursts – lots of jokes at spitfire speed, then stretches that aren’t very funny – and Madagascar still hasn’t found that perfect Shrek/Shrek 2 balance of mature and immature humor to equally entertain both kids and adults. More kids will like Madagascar 3 than adults will.
Admittedly, the movie is a cartoon about talking animals, but Madagascar 3 is certainly the most outlandish and over-the-top than the first two films, which at times could be distracting. Luckily the film is enough fun that we don’t mind too much; “The movie is fast-moving enough to make you forget that it doesn’t make a lick of sense” (Sean Means).
While Madagascar 3 is fun, had it delivered a stronger plot it would have not only been the best in the series, but one of the best cartoons of the year. As it stands, Madagascar 3 is more like a well-decorated cupcake than anything you can actually sink your teeth into. It looks great and has some pretty funny scenes, so it’s great for kids, but there’s just not enough to it for the film to be truly memorable as a classic.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it (although it does look very cool on the big screen, so I wouldn’t call it a mistake to buy a ticket).
Admittedly, the movie is a cartoon about talking animals, but Madagascar 3 is certainly the most outlandish and over-the-top than the first two films, which at times could be distracting. Luckily the film is enough fun that we don’t mind too much; “The movie is fast-moving enough to make you forget that it doesn’t make a lick of sense” (Sean Means).
While Madagascar 3 is fun, had it delivered a stronger plot it would have not only been the best in the series, but one of the best cartoons of the year. As it stands, Madagascar 3 is more like a well-decorated cupcake than anything you can actually sink your teeth into. It looks great and has some pretty funny scenes, so it’s great for kids, but there’s just not enough to it for the film to be truly memorable as a classic.
The Final Word: Wait to rent it (although it does look very cool on the big screen, so I wouldn’t call it a mistake to buy a ticket).
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