Releases: 20thSeptember 2012
Rating: PG – Contains Low level violence
Duration: 93 minutes
Genre: Animated Family
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith and Chris Rock
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Reviewer: Jon E Clist
The Premise>> Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still trying to get back to the Big Apple and their beloved Central Park zoo, but first they need to find the penguins. When they travel to Monte Carlo, they attract the attention of Animal Control after gate crashing a party and are joined by the penguins, King Julian and Co., and the monkeys. How do a lion, zebra, hippo, giraffe, four penguins, two monkeys, three lemurs travel through Europe without attracting attention and get back to New York? They join a traveling circus. Their attempts to get back to New York are consistently hampered by the Captain of Animal Control who wants to make Alex part of her collection. Once they make it back to New York Marty, Alex, Gloria and Melman realize that they want to be part of the traveling circus
The Review>> When you grab such amazing and diverse vocal talent in one room, you know you are going to be in for an entertaining treat. We knew it from the first Madagascar film and it has continued on through the sequel. So here we have the third outing and I guess the question on everyone’s lips is can they keep the laughs flowing.
There are plenty of great moments within the film that will have you in hysterics. Loads of new colorful characters including a Russian stunting tiger. Yeah I know that sounds weird but this is a film about talking animals trying to get back to their New York home by pretending to be circus animals.
One thing that did weird me out was the difference of voice talent. Now it’s not in regards to the film trilogy. It is because as a huge fan of the television adaptation of The Penguins of Madagascar, in which the characters are voiced by different talent. So having got used to their voices it seems a little weird going back to the originals.
It is a brilliantly dazzling film with a great story line that keeps you hooked in and entertained throughout. I particularly loved the introduction of the scooter riding animal controlling villainess Captain DuBois as voiced by Frances McDormand in a superbly menacing style. Like a big game Hunter she obsessively latches on to our heroes with a vengeance and will let nothing stand in the way of her catching her prey. This battle of wits that comes of this chase creates a wonderful back drop to this story of finding friendship in the strangest of people and places.
Oh and because of the colorful nature of the animation, the 3d in this film is actually rather enjoyable. The kids in the screening I attended appeared to love the film and the adults seemed to be just as engaged into the fun.
The Verdict>> A brilliant continuation of a hugely successful animated franchise and really my favourite of the three Madagascar films.
Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>> At the end of the movie, you can see that the sign indicating the name of the ship with the antagonist cargo aboard, is “Mal De Mer” which, when translated from Madagascar’s official language of French, means “Seasickness”.
Captain Chantel DuBois sings approximately 1 minute of “Non, je ne regrette rien” to her henchmen. This is a French song best known through its 1960 recording by Édith Piaf. Piaf dedicated her recording of the song to the French Foreign Legion (FFL), which has now become part of the FFL heritage and is sung when they are on parade. Due to the men’s reaction, it is assumed that all of them serve or served in the FFL.
WILHELM SCREAM: A motor cycle driver screams as he flies out of the freeway. (Latin American version only)
This film uses the most cartoon sound effects in a DreamWorks Animation feature film to date, surpassing its first film, Madagascar.
Big Screen NZ 