‘Madagascar’ sequel a pleasant ‘Escape’
A homecoming that is long in the making is enough to make a person feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” picks up even before the last story left off. The sequel begins in Africa and gives an explanation of how Alex the lion (Ben Stiller, “Tropic Thunder”) ended up in New York City.
Time is fast-forwarded to the point where the first movie ended. The plane the animals fixed to go to New York is, more or less, successfully able to fly, but it is not long before they crash land in the heart of Africa.
In a twist of fate, Alex and his friends land almost in the same watering hole where his pride and dozens of groups of African animals live.
At first, it’s a happy homecoming for all involved. Alex’s family welcomes him back with open arms and all the rest of the animals are happy to find a place with other animals of their kind.
While Alex and his friends are enjoying their new lives in Africa, the penguins who were flying the plane work to fix it, and they steal safari jeeps from tourists for their cause.
As to be expected, Alex and the other animals’ welcome is soon worn and are forced to leave their new homes.
Meanwhile, the colonies of stranded people are forced to fend for themselves. They create a dam that blocks all of the water to the watering hole all of the animals share.
Cue the inspirational music. Alex and Marty the zebra (Chris Rock, “Everybody Hates Chris”) must find a way to save the day.
“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is a cute, endearing movie at the heart of it all. As to be expected from a cartoon that is marketed to a younger crowd, the themes used in the movie are sweet and heart-warming.
The movie also contains quite a few adult jokes and pop-culture references that can be mildly funny, typical to modern computer-animated children’s movies.
Since the movie is marketed towards younger minds, it isn’t very difficult for a view to catch up to what’s going on if they haven’t seen the original “Madagascar.”
The movie is able to stand alone and still be funny and engaging.
Despite having so many good qualities, the movie remains overall on par with the slew of cartoons just like it.
This movie is for the young and the young at heart.
Three out of five stars
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