Review of Madagascar (2005) by Manny C — 24 May 2011
It's definitely not Pixar, that would make it heartfelt and sophisticated. It's more like lame animated toons like Shark Tale and Robots, which would make it manically crazy and tiring. Madagascar works as nothing more than a good distraction for the kiddies.
Madagascar is perfectly juvenile. It concerns Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), who lives the sweet life at New York City's Central Park Zoo with friends Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman the hypochondriac giraffe (David Schwimmer in a typically annoying voice performance).
Only Marty the zebra (Chris Rock, who can give Eddie Murphy a run for his voice over money) complains, as he dreams of a life in his natural habitat, which prompts him to escape his pampered life, with some rogue penguins in tow.
Director Tom McGrath, co-directing with Eric Darnell, voices Skipper, the penguin leader, and he does have a droll delivery with lines. Things take a turn for the chaotic once the animals arrive on Madagascar, overruled by King Julien XIII, voiced deliciously by Sacha Baron Cohen.
The king brings in the 'New York Giants' to fend off predator Foosa. Then Alex, giving in to his natural instincts, takes a bite out of Marty's tush, prompting the movie's strange lesson of whether a friend really is a friend if he might want to eat you.
From there it's one dull gag after another, none of which can be saved by the bright colors and crazed action.
This review of Madagascar (2005) was written by Manny C on 24 May 2011.
Madagascar has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
