‘Madagascar 3’ moves to best beat of series

Arts

Related Photos

Poster art for "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," showing this week at the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley. DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures.

Discussion

June 14, 2012

‘Madagascar 3’ moves to best beat of series

Movie Review

Ezra Mann Pauls Valley Democrat The Democrat Thu Jun 14, 2012, 10:45 AM CDT

Pauls Valley, Oklahoma — The more I succumb to my own addictive movie buff nature, the more I seem to be able to suck in those around me, even if they at first seem to have no interest in what I will view. This has certainly been the case with my poor wife on too many “that look” occasions and at first with this series of zoo animals traversing the globe.

Though I’ve now seen the entire trilogy in theaters, it took a DVD rental to encourage her introduction and with the latest, it may be the best result of my meddling. The first two chapters certainly screamed tailor made for distracting the youngest audiences, but in a year of impressive storytelling, it’s as if everything that needed to click did for the third. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” takes what could have been a very tired journey and adds a spark that actually moves it ahead of the pack.

The story picks up where “Escape 2 Africa” left off with Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Melman (David Schwimmer) all starting to get pretty bummed about not being at their zoo home in New York. While waiting for the penguins led by Skipper (Tom McGrath) to return to pick them up after heading off to seek more riches in Monte Carlo, they get impatient and decide to catch up with their former associates who have developed a skill for gambling at a casino.

Unfortunately they screw up in classic slap stick fashion and attract the attention of a blood thirsty animal control agent named Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand). This begins one of the best choreographed chase scenes in animated history (this from a guy who knows his Scooby Doo), which is made near perfect when they secretly join a circus led by quirky animals like Stefano the Sea Lion (Martin Short) and Vitaly the Tiger (Bryan Cranston). It’s also perhaps the most emotionally complete movie of the series and would be at least worth an award nomination or two.

In the end, it’s a movie everyone will be able to find something they enjoy and safe enough even for the youngest audience. Perhaps the only thing missing this time around was that familiar old lady telling Alex he’s a bad kitty, but with this being so fresh, I’d not be surprised if they milk it in this new direction.

I really don’t think I’ve even laughed as much as I did at this chapter compared to the other two with gags also reminiscent of the “Pink Panther” or “Naked Gun” franchises. It’s also the first I really would consider adding to a collection, perhaps as a three movie package. Thus the final verdict for “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” is four out of five lemurs.

Movie viewing experience courtesy of the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley.

Text Only

Arts

‘Silver Linings Playbook’ finds structure in mental script
Only in Hollywood magic land can the stressful and never hilarious situation of dealing with violently mentally ill family members be turned into one of the most beloved comedy creations ever.

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
‘Iron Man 3’ proves nothing is sacred with fresh twists
In a time when God-like status is granted to those who can obtain the franchise tag for a film series, the true test of creative power is not falling flat when that third or later chapter is born.

May 10, 2013 1 Photo
‘Oblivion’ starts off vague, but delivers constant thrills
There may never be a day where science fiction is fully given the attention and praise it deserves from the highest and mightiest of award shows, but for moviegoers it continues to deliver some of the most celebrated moments in cinematic history.

April 25, 2013 1 Photo
‘Olympus has Fallen’ a perfect fix for action addiction
Gone may be the era when moviegoers could freely revel in an overtly cheesy patriotic action fest without being accused of having a political agenda.

April 17, 2013 1 Photo
‘The Host’ under-appreciated at the box office
For all the hype and worship expressed over the past several years for a certain glittery nightmarish treatment of vampires, it doesn’t make much sense that the same audience wouldn’t break down theater doors to see an example of the same author’s next work, especially with actual talent from the lead actress.

April 12, 2013 1 Photo
‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ improves, but still lacks substance
Cue my childhood: A mix of early morning animated adventures and 80s/90s action films, followed by their recreation in the dirt battlefields along the backyard fence.

April 5, 2013 1 Photo
‘Seven Psycopaths’ finds balance in quirky comedy
Looking back on the amount of time I’ve dedicated to escaping the world for the embrace of quirky comedy, one element most things hilarious have attempted to tame is insanity.

March 26, 2013 1 Photo
‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ monumental, though more TV friendly
Unless you had about the most soul crushing upbringing possible, there isn’t a child that hasn’t let their imagination wonder when thinking about the world above the clouds.

March 6, 2013 1 Photo
‘Life of Pi’ an example of artsy done right
As the day the Oscars tell you what movies were better than the ones most people thought were the best inch their way ever closer, I thought it only appropriate to try and at least squeeze in one more of those chosen in the top nine.

February 13, 2013 1 Photo
‘Hope Springs’ cast saves audience from potential geriatric horror
There may be no one thing more disturbing for those still in their youth to hear of any sort of intimate relationship between elderly couples.

February 8, 2013 1 Photo
More Arts Headlines

Arts

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

‘Madagascar 3’ moves to best beat of series

Movie Review

Site Map

Contact Us