Review of Penguins of Madagascar (2014) by Robert L — 01 Feb 2015

Quantum Of Salmon.

Madagascar, there was a film that was truly great. Then there was Madagascar 2, and it all went down hill, then number 3 came out and it just got worst, now we have the best thing about the series going off and it has become it's own monster. Penguins! But I suppose the reel question is, will this be (Europe's Most Wanted or just another movie I want to Escape From (Africa)?

There is something knowing about how the entire movie of Penguins is put together that brings a smile to my face, and that's where the best jokes lay. This is first implied in the opening scene (after the credits) when the penguins are at the end of Madagascar 3 and had had enough of the song Move it, Move It. So decide to shoot themselves into fort knous. This is the sort of humour that the film is littered with.

The highlight of the movie comes when Dave (the Octopus) gives any of his underlings commands, it's simple, clever word play, and I love it. Actually mostly anything that Skipper says makes me smile, he is sort of a cross between Captain Kirk and... Nope that's about it. He is like if Zap Branigan was a penguin and more humble.

It's true that Penguins is hardly a film which aims high or calls for social change but I don't think it should do that anyway. Look at a film like Shrek or even the original Madagascar, that didn't aim to be anything more than a film with a lot of film references and to be a joy to watch. They succeeded and so does Penguins.

I think it's how much Penguins openly embraces its own madness which really helps the film work, it taps into our migrant imaginations and makes us all engage, a particular highlight of this is the Venice chase sequence. Which is both ridiculous and funny in equal measure.

Also the four penguins themselves work as a team, we have the leader (Skipper), the brains (Kawalski), the animal (Rico) and the quote one (Private). Each have a role to play in the movie and their natural chemistry just works (and yes I know they are not real people).

From it's very opening scene the film knows where it's going, it wants us to sit back and enjoy, like any good classic childrens film does. I should also say the film is visually engaging with lots of colourful and new characters, each with their own unique personality traits.

I'll admit it Penguins Of Madagascar is a film that doesn't set the world on fire nor does it make everything seem ok or solve any problems, but that's ok, it's just a kids film about 4 penguins who are great at special missions. In truth I fell in love with them the second the called Marty their "monochromatic friend" in Madagascar. So clever.

Ultimately Penguins is bright, engaging, funny and sweet. Truly, what more do you want from an animated film about 4 penguins?