The sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, is a better film, though -- less manic, more easygoing.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
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Reviews Counted:29
Fresh:18
Rotten:11
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is an improvement on the original, with more fleshed-out characters, crisper animation and more consistent humor.
Theatrical Release:Nov 7, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $179,982,968
Synopsis: In 2008's MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, the endearing New York City zoo animals of the original hit movie return for another zany round of CGI adventures abroad. Leaving the island of the title by... In 2008's MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, the endearing New York City zoo animals of the original hit movie return for another zany round of CGI adventures abroad. Leaving the island of the title by way of a ramshackle penguin-designed aircraft, the quartet of Alex the Lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), along with unlikely friends such as King Julien the Lemur (Sacha Baron Cohen), crash-land on the African savannah, setting in motion a whole new series of exploits, involving Alex's long-lost parents (Bernie Mac and Sherri Shepherd) and a stranded group of tenacious NYC human tourists. Reuniting directors Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell, as well as all the principal cast members of the first film, MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA takes full advantage of its sweeping setting, making room for beautifully expansive landscapes amidst the mammal mayhem. While the leads are in fine form, they are ably assisted by series newcomers, including the late Mac, Shepherd, and Alec Baldwin, who plays a scheming rival lion. Though various plotlines get increasingly ridiculous as the movie goes on (see the return of MADAGASCAR's aggressive Grand Central Station granny), the good-natured main characters and their silly support players (particularly lemurs and penguins) keep ESCAPE 2 AFRICA entertaining no matter how far the story strays off the wildlife reserve. [More]
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, Will.I.Am
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Screenwriter: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Etan Cohen
Producer: Mireille Soria, Mark Swift
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Dreamworks SKG
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Reviews for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
With so many characters to cram in and not much for many of them to do, Escape 2 Africa ends up a choppy, episodic affair.
A by-the-numbers follow-up to the highly successful 2005 feature that was no great shakes to begin with.
Whenever we move away from their scenes -- sharp and quickly edited -- the film slows a bit. Whenever we skip to one of the main characters learning yet another life lesson, the fun begins to fade.
One reason to lament the existence of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is too bemoan the considerable amount of talent that was tied up developing this uninspired sequel when it could have been employed in the service of something fresh and new.
The animation is sharp, and whenever things start to get confusing, a penguin or lemur comes onscreen and does something really funny.
The roots are shallow, but the sequel is good-natured, high-spirited and perfectly enjoyable if you take it for what it is.
Fans of the first Madagascar will find much to enjoy in Escape 2 Africa.
It has everything Madagascar had three years ago, but also two things the original was woefully lacking: a good yarn and genuine yuks.
Surprise, surprise, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is the rare sequel that is better than the original.
While Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa may offer hope to inter-species romance enthusiasts, for most adults it will simply serve as a way to keep the kids occupied.
It's bad enough when sequels repeat the plot of their original movie. But it's serious chutzpah when the sequel cribs key plot points of another movie, as Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa does with The Lion King.
Lessons about family loyalty, tolerance, ingenuity, and sacrifice add depth to the screenplay by Etan Cohen and directors Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath.
If you own a TV, you will have heard the best laughs excerpted in unrelenting commercials leading up to the movie's release.
This mediocre sequel to the 2005 DreamWorks Animation hit doesn't offer much to engage minds that have moved beyond coloring books.
There's a generally more diverting entertainment waddling along the edges of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa than the larger one lollygagging on screen.
Though it doesn't add anything new to the genre, Madagascar 2 is amusing animated fare.
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