Madagascar (2005)

His Review:

Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) are 4 animal friends who live at the Central Park Zoo.  They enjoy the fame they experience everyday from the people who come to see them, but Marty feels like there could be something more to life.  When a group of Penguins dig into Marty’s enclosure by mistake, thinking it to be another continent, Marty decides to escape “into the wild.”  When is escape plan fails, they get transferred and placed on a ship headed for Africa, but during the trip the 4 escape off the boat and land in a Lemur infested land who love to sing the noted hit song, “Move it.”

The first time I saw Madagascar back in 2005, I remember it not having a lasting impression on me.  After seeing it again to get ready for the 3rd movie to come out, I remember why.  The plot is full of holes that could have easily been filled.  Don’t get me wrong, the movie is funny and the characters are charming, but the story is eh.  I mean why have the animals escape, only to be caught, tranquilized and then escape off a boat when they are transferred.  Why not just let them escape the first time and have 10 more minutes of movie in Madagascar?  The funnier moments come from King Julian (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Marty and Gloria is almost pointless as a main character.  I’d also like to know whose idea was it to make a song that was like 10 years old at the time the movie’s theme.  Anyways, it’s short so not a waste of time for an odd little trip that has some sequels attached.  Co-starring Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, and Tom McGrath.

7/10 Stars – Colorful, slightly funny with an odd story. 

Click below for links to IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/madagascar/