Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

Released: 19th October 2012

Directed By: Eric Darnell/Tom Mccgrath/Conrad Vernon

Starring: Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith

Certificate: PG

Reviewed By: Ross Goddard

I was quite excited to hear of a Madagascar 3, as I very much loved the first two, was quite a surprise hit as animation films can find the box office quite a rough place if not received very well. But Dreamworks from time to time brings out some gem’s of family films. But with sequels, let me bring the case of the Shrek film’s forward. ‘Shrek’ and ‘Shrek 2’ was both brilliant, but the further two Shrek’s the jokes seemed to fizzle out. Which was a shame, with Madagascar 3, this isn’t the case.

We join the gang where they left off in the second film, In Africa, wanting to return back home to New York City Zoo on a third attempt. So Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer) and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) set off on another big adventure to find there way back home, with the help of a traveling circus. On the way they meet new friends, and new enemies, who will stop at nothing to hunt them down.

With the Madagascar films, you just can’t help but smile all the way through them, and this the third installment, is no different. The story is well crafted, with new characters added to the mixture, keeps it quite fresh, and an easy watch. Some beautiful visual jokes laced throughout, is a very nice touch.

The added additions to the voice talent includes actors of the moment such as ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Bryan Cranston and Jessica Chantain  who are both brilliant. But Martin Short as Stefano, the Italian circus sea lion is fantastic and very very funny. Old favorites return such as King Julian and the Penguins, who sometimes I felt are the gel what makes these films really work. There is really nothing I can criticize about this.

It should be a happy end to the franchise, it would ruin it maybe if they carried on with them. But something in the back of my mind wants to know what happens to them next. A very colorful event, that carries brilliantly all the way through. Take the whole family to see this, as it doesn’t matter if you’ve yet to see the first two films. It’s a whole lot of fun, which will make them smile from cheek to cheek.