Doesn’t really live up to the promise that the idea and voice talent deserve. But it’s still spirited, amiable, featherweight summer fun.
Madagascar (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:179
Fresh:98
Rotten:81
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: A solid if unspectacular CGI flick.
Rated: U [See Full Rating] for mild language, crude humor and some thematic elements.
Runtime: 86 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:15-07-2005
Synopsis: The friendship between a New York City lion and zebra is tested when fate brings them out to the unforgiving wilderness in this computer-animated DreamWorks feature. Chris Rock does the voice of... The friendship between a New York City lion and zebra is tested when fate brings them out to the unforgiving wilderness in this computer-animated DreamWorks feature. Chris Rock does the voice of Marty the Zebra, whose longing to explore beyond his cushy Central Park Zoo boundaries is the impetus that ultimately strands him and his pals on the shores of savage Madagascar. Marty loves the new, edible scenery, but his best friend Alex (voiced by Ben Stiller) the Lion begins to starve since his diet of thick steaks has been cut off, and the rump of his friend starts to look mighty tasty. Their other friends, a hypochondriac giraffe (David Schwimmer) and a sassy hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), try their best to think of a solution as the call of the wild slowly turns the starving Alex into Marty's worst nightmare. Meanwhile the hilariously self-aggrandizing King of the Ocelots (Sacha Cohen) has a plan to use Marty to repel their own carnivore problem. This kid-oriented comedy stays adult-friendly every step of the way thanks to a clever script that mixes New Yorker humor and even some existentialism in with the pratfalls and spit-takes. Jolts of comedic brilliance are supplied by some Arctic-bound escaped con penguins, and a couple of literary apes. It's not a musical, but classic songs from the likes of Louis Armstrong and Sammy Davis Jr. keep the montages flowing loose and sassy. [More]
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Screenwriter: Mark Burton, Tom McGrath, Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell
Producer: Mireille Soria
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
Reviews for Madagascar
Lame scatalogical gags and worn pop-culture parodies abound, but the CGI animation romp is somewhat redeemed by the scene-stealing appearances of several supporting characters.
Better than Shark Tale but still leagues away from the brilliance of the first Shrek.
Brightly coloured but poorly thought out and generally disappointing comedy, despite the odd funny moment.
I wanted a moral to the story. In Finding Nemo: Don't let fear rule your life. Shrek: True beauty is on the inside. Madagascar: Don't eat your friends?
The movie is like a doughnut, with frosting on the edges and a big hole in the middle.
No king of the jungle, just a loud piece of light summer family fluff.
Like many computer-animated features, this one, about four animals exiled from the Central Park Zoo, expends most of its imaginative resources on clever visuals.
...Whenever the film seems in danger of getting bland, [Baron Cohen's] scenes kick it up to another level
This endearing character piece offers animal high jinks for youngsters, plus pop culture humor and lushly composed animation for adults.
Madagascar is great good fun, not only because the filmmakers have enlisted some wonderful voice talent but also because the visuals truly are marvelous.
Latest News for Madagascar
December 05, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Writers Warm to Madagascar 2; UK Critics Liked Lakeview Terrace
With thirteen new releases in the UK cinemas this weekend, let Rotten Tomatoes help you sort the tinsel from the turkeys. We have animals on the loose in Madagascar: Escape 2... More...
August 15, 2008:
Weekly Ketchup: Kung Fu Panda 2, Wheel of Time and more
This week's Ketchup bottle brings news about Kung Fu Panda 2, Madagascar 3, development news about the Wheel of Time series, and casting news about Mike Myers and Billy Bob... More...
June 07, 2007:
Release Dates Set for "Shrek 4" and "Shrek 5"
Well, release years anyway, according to Jeffrey Katzenberg. More...
March 08, 2007:
Chris Rock Hangs with Zebra Pack in "Madagascar 2"
"Madagascar" had Marty the zebra searching for his wild home in the jungles of Africa. Since the movie made so much money, all the zoo animals are back in the wild for... More...
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