Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

For over a decade now, Dreamworks has had many computer-animated films brought to us. Some have turned out smashes, and others made us WANT to smash them out. While the gimmick of CG animation has spread throughout, especially to compete with Pixar, they at least try to give a good movie. However, one series they've had just seems to be both hit and miss on many levels. That franchise is "Madagascar."

The first "Madagascar" film was about Marty, played by Chris Rock, who longs to be out of the zoo and into the wild with his friends, Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe, who don't think the same way. But after getting boarded onto a ship with the penguins, they soon end up in Madagascar. Honestly, the concept was interesting, and while there were some enjoyable things about it, I can't necessarily say it was good. It just wasn't a film I could get into. Even with an all-star cast like Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, David Schimmer, Jada Smith, Cedric the Entertainer, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Tom McGrath, I just couldn't get into it.

The sequel, "Madagascar Escape 2 Africa" (...HA), was pretty much the exact same, only more forgettable and this time, they're all trying to get back to New York. They managed to escape the island of Madagascar, but now they're stuck in the plains of Africa. It was almost like the first movie, only it was more forgettable and I was just really bored with it. Nothing else to say there.

Now with the new film, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," I'll admit was more memorable than the first, but it was still a forgettable film.

In the new movie, the penguins build a helicopter to Monte Carlo to get money and get a plane home. After a while, the animals swim to Europe to find them, but soon get into a wild goose chase with Europe's best animal control hunter, Captain Chantel DuBois. Soon, the animals hitch a ride with the circus, and try their best to get along, if they ever want to get home. There was just a lot of this film that I was just bored with, so if it feels like I'm skimming through anything, don't blame me.

Now let me get all the bad stuff out. First off is the humor, and for a kids film...it's not that it was bad, but it just felt confusing. I kept asking myself throughout the movie, 'Was...was that SUPPOSED to be funny?' and I end up with no answer. However, one joke made me just ANNOYED with this film, and that's when they ripped off "Spy Kids 4". I'm not kidding, they ripped off that movie, when the Russian tiger named Vitaly says "That's BULLSHIVIKS!" It's just like in "Spy Kids 4," when Alexa Vega says "Oh shi-taki mushrooms!" At that moment, I just facepalmed with anger at that. Another thing that bugged me, was the 'liar revealed' cliche, which is one of the most OBVIOUS cliches in the book, padding out the film. Even if they actually turn that lie into a truth, it just feels forced. There's also a "romance subplot" between King Julien, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, and the circus' bear. And if you thought Baron Cohen's character wasn't annoying and awkward enough, then just see the scenes with him and the bear. I have never been so confused, and downright creeped out by this in a long time.

Now what can I say that's good about the film. Well, the acting's not bad. It has most actors reprising their roles from the previous films, so their the same, being either okay or below. However, some of the casting for this new film surprised me a bit. Bryan Cranston, from "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Breaking Bad," plays Vitaly, the tiger, and to his credit he does a decent job. However, the stunts that made him a success with the circus are a little far-fetched, even for a cartoon. Martin Short is also in the film, playing a sea lion, and he was okay on some parts. However, the biggest casting shock for me was Oscar-nominee: Jessica Chastain and Oscar-winner: Frances McDormand.  Jessica Chastain, who was in "The Help," getting an Oscar nomination for it, plays the plot device-I mean jaguar, named Gia, who's the love interest for Ben Stiller as Alex the lion. She's...was okay, despite being a love-interest. Frances McDormand as Capt. DuBois, who sounded like she was having fun with this role. But it still surprises me that this film was capable of getting two Oscar talents into this film, yet only made one, and I repeat, ONE of them have more character than any of the other castings.

I'll also give the movie credit for it's animation. The animation is SPECTACULAR compared to the other two films, and with it being in 3D, it was great too...although with the 3D at times, they went a little too gimmicky by adding in some wide-angle lenses shots. But aside from that, when it got into certain circus acts and chase scenes, it looks phenominal. However, even with the nice acting, great animation, and 3D, it just wasn't enough to save the movie. Like I said, it's not as forgettable as the other two, but it still falls flat on certain parts. And being forgettable is probably one of the lowest crimes a film can do.

Overall, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" isn't something I'd recommend. At least not in the theater that is. But if you're looking to pass the time, then I'd wait for it to come on Nickelodeon in a few months.

Rating: 4/10