Review of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) by Brian K — 13 Apr 2013

Was there ever a more pointless movie? Probably, but this is high up on the pointless charts. To start with, the first film wasn't that great, hardly needing a sequel. To continue, the second film has no story structure(just like the first film, if I may add). To conclude, it's not very funny. The scenes of the penguins that you saw on the trailer . . . yeah . . . those are the only scenes that the penguins are even in. The problem with the film is that there are way to many characters, way too many story developments, way to many jokes that fall flat, and way too little of the penguins - let's face it: They are the best part of both films.

It is impossible to watch this film if you haven't seen the first one. It literally picks the story up right from the end of the first one, making no introduction to characters. The story is a mumble jumble of endless events that concludes in our characters, once again, having made no progress. In the first film, they were trying to get back to New York. They failed. In this film, they're trying to get back to New York. I think it's safe for me to say that they fail.

The filmmakers at Dreamworks need to study Pixar films. Pixar always ensures that the story is original, fresh, compact, tightly wound, and that it works as a whole. Dreamworks, maybe with the exception of 'Shrek' and 'Kung Fu Panda', wouldn't know how to structure a story to save their lives. You see, Dreamworks is about making money. They persist in endless, annoying sequels with fluffy characters that only need to exist for the sake of merchandise. To them, I say, "Fuck off." Pardon my French. The irony is that Pixar still makes more money than Dreamworks.

There are some obvious short cuts that were made in the animation process. Alex's mane looks like a giant piece of wood stuck on his head. It never moves in the wind, it doesn't flip when he turns, it simply sits. His paws are also flat and lifeless, just like most everything in the film. The villain is a pussy who barely needs mentioning, and it's hard to tell what the movie is trying to say. At one point the film talks about leaving nature alone, allowing wild life to take up their own habitat. At another point, the film claims that the animals were happier in New York in their cages. So, what is it? Make up your mind.

Only saving grace, as I stated before, are the penguins. They are well written and consistently funny. However, most of their scenes you've already seen in the trailer. It's unfortunate. I'd like a movie about them. Get rid of everyone else: They're completely unnecessary and unentertaining. Just make a movie about the God-damned penguins.