Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Gloria (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer) are tired of living in Africa and want to return to their beloved New York City Zoo. The problem is, the penguins have flown off with their plane and left them behind. Their only option is to track them down in Monte Carlo and get the penguins to fly them back to New York City Zoo.
When the gang make it to Monte Carlo, things don’t go according to plan. They are being hunted by the nasty Captain Chantel Dubois (Frances McDormand), and joining the circus seems to be the only way to escape her and make it home.
Madagascar 3: Escape to the Circus is much better than Madagascar 2, and almost as good as the original.
The Madagascar films work, not necessarily because of the story, but because of the witty one liners the characters deliver and the frenetic pace that the film moves at.
This film follows that formula and plays to its strengths, the characters! The main group are funny but the laughs are louder because the main cast is surrounded by hilarious, over the top, supporting characters. All the fan favourites, such as the penguins and King Julian, are back for this installment and the new characters that have been added, are just that, characters! They fit right in. From Stefano the affable, not so intelligent, seal (Martin Short), to Gia the lioness (Jessica Chastain), to Vitaly the tortured tiger (Bryan Cranston), and the over the top villainous Captain Chantel Dubois (Frances McDormand).
My only complaint is that it is in 3D. There’s no need to get frustrated by those annoying glasses, save your money and watch it in 2D as the 3D does not add to the animation experience! The animation is good, although the depiction of the major cities they travel to, such as Rome, Monte Carlo and London, have already been captured more beautifully in Pixar’s Cars 2 (although this is a far superior movie to that!).
This film is a bit more preachy than the previous two, with the message of, “following your passion is the most important thing,” being hammered home. That said, the wit and humour helps to make it not so sugary sweet.
Madagascar 3: Escape to the Circus is like the Circus – big, bright, extravagant, fun, and a film that the whole family can enjoy.
Madagascar 3: Escape to the Circus is in Irish cinemas now.
That’s Entertainment!
Sarina 🙂
thebellissimofiles 
The Madagascar movies have been a favorite in my house for some time and the kids re-watch the films frequently. My kids of course want me to buy the movie for the rainbow wig that is advertised on TV but we haven’t seen it yet. So I added it to my Blockbuster @ Home queue and it should be here in the next few days via mail. I did find the clip of the gang getting into the circus act funny but it also made me wonder if all animals come with the ability to do circus acts without training. I work at DISH so I’ve been using Blockbuster for a while now and I was hoping they would have Madagascar 3 available. I found that watching movies in 3D works best for the kids if it’s not a cartoon. My five year old complained that it made her head hurt and I agree, not always the most comfortable experience.