Madagascar Review
by "Steve Rhodes" (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)May 28th, 2005
MADAGASCAR
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
A random series of comedy sketches lost in search of a story, MADAGASCAR features four animated animals who ham it up, first in the zoo and then in "the wild." Sometimes cute but never funny, these animals, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, are voiced loquaciously but not humorously by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith. But, without the benefit of even a semi-decent script, it isn't fair to blame the actors or the computer generated animation.
Using the standard slapstick formula, the animals fall a lot and yuck it up among themselves. You may not be laughing much, but, not to worry, the characters provide their own laugh track as they laugh for you. The plot, such as it is, has some of the animals wanting to escape their luxurious pampering in their concrete and brick Central Park Zoo so they can seek out their destiny in the mythical land known as "the wild."
Early on in their dull adventure, the giraffe remarks, "I can see where this is going." He then proceeds to yawn and nod off to sleep. I know exactly how he feels.
MADAGASCAR runs very long even at just 1:26. It is rated PG for "mild language, crude humor and some thematic elements" and would be acceptable for kids of all ages.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 27, 2005. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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