Madagascar 3 - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, The Penguins and King Julian! 

What's it About?

The motley crew of friends are still on the road, trying to get home to their beloved New York zoo. This time round they're trekking across Europe, being pursued by a dogged French bounty hunter. They take cover in a travelling circus and manage to fit in better than they could ever have imagined.  

Any Good?

It's a rare find in an animated franchise that every instalment is enjoyable but the creators of Madagascar, the movies and the TV show seem to have struck the right balance between continually fresh comedy and enduring characters. 

The 3D is bright and beautiful here with the addition of current music and dance sequences, keeping the smallies entranced for the entire 90 minutes of this comic caper. The pace is relentless and there almost doesn't seem a moment to take stock, which helps in keeping the attention of the whole family. 

When the New York crew join the circus folk, the laughs are pretty much constant as we're introduced to brand new but instantly likeable characters in Bryan Cranston and Martin Short to name but two. The circus is in its own trouble and in need of saving, could both groups help each other out? I loved the underlying lesson that once you leave your comfort zone there really are no limits to your potential. That sticking with your friends, no matter what life throws at you can help you realise your wildest dreams, even if you didn't know they were your dreams to begin with. 

I have to give special mention to King Julian's romance with the bicycle riding, tutu wearing, mute grizzly bear, they're probably some of the funniest scenes in the entire Madagascar franchise. Of course the Penguins are on form, carefully calculating and orchestrating the return trip with madcap, hair brained schemes. 

Yes this film is about trust, friendship, loyalty and the pursuit of your dreams but who cares about that when it's a slapstick, laugh a minute, dazzling delight of a movie. If you like the Madagascar characters you will love this.

Rating: