Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
2.5 out of 4
Starring: voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Time: 89 mins
Viewed: Mega Movies, Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick, New Jersey
Inevitable sequel to the 2005 animated hit offers more of the same, as our four lead characters Alex the lion (Stiller), Marty the zebra (Rock), Melman the giraffe (Schwimmer) and Gloria the hippo (Pinkett Smith) attempt to leave the titular island but find themselves stranded in Africa. There follows a family reunion, crises of identity and self-worth, and an unlikely love triangle. Dreamworks' formula of hip cultural references and songs, plus the use of high-profile voices, provides some laughs here and there, but the addition of tired and predictable plotlines often bring proceedings to a halt. Why not just have a movie with the lemurs and the penguins? If you see this film, you'll know what I mean.(c) Joe Wong (16 November 2008)
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