Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-09-2012, 08:55 PM:

I can't say I remember too much about the previous Madagascar films except that they were a fun "romp" but not very substantial. The same can be said about this new one. I've read some of the glowing reviews and I don't know if I'd go THAT far in praising this movie, but it certainly isn't the big disaster that many (including me) were expecting.

Some of the action scenes are quite funny and the use of 3-D is really good -- which is getting to be the norm for animated movies.

The story here is super-simple. Our heroes pretend to be circus animals in order to help a struggling real circus land an American contract with a big promoter, thereby getting passage back home.

There's enough fast-paced action in the movie that the 93 minutes zips by -- literally. The chase scene near the beginning is especially great. As long as you're not trying to take things too seriously -- if you are, you're in the wrong movie -- you'll have a good time. We're only on Day 2 and we've already had some repeat kids.

My vote is 3 out of 5 stars.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 06-15-2012, 04:30 PM:

I saw this on the ETX screen over at AMC Tysons' and I was utterly gobsmacked (I love that word) the colors, the editing, the most effective use of 3D, how briskly the story moved - highly entertaining - can't wait for the bluray!

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 10-13-2012, 04:48 AM:

When the Madagascar franchise turns into a Bond-style action caper, you know it's jumped the shark. Although not the most credible of premises, this kids series about zoo escapees trying to make their way back home works because most of the action takes place out of sight of humans, and when humans do see them, they see them as mere animals, not the walking talking Hollywood animal stars that they are. It's the "if a tree falls in the forest..." principle that makes it work - if zoo animals walk and talk like humans and no one's there to see it, did it really happen? Toy Story works on exactly the same principle.

The third film in the series, has our animal friends mixing it with humans in the hustle bustle of Monte Carlo; gambling in casinos and driving getaway stunt cars through busy streets and over roof tops. It's a jarring departure from the previous two movies, even within this fictional universe, and it destroys the fantasy.

However the Monte Carlo sequence is merely a stop gap measure to bridge between the poorly thought through conclusion of the previous film and the new plot involving a troupe of ailing circus animals and admittedly the film does markedly improve from this point on. Unfortunately the relentless pursuit of a Monacan animal control officer is an incessant reminder of the films flimsy beginning.

But of course the film isn't made for adults so the opinions that matter are those of children and the kids seem to just lap it all up and have a wonderful time. On those grounds the film must be deemed a success, dishing out all the hijinks and humour kids have come to expect from the previous two films.

Regardless, it would be nice to think that this film rounds out the Madagascar franchise but don't bet on it; there's potentially a wealth of circus antics to follow.

6 out of 10.