Madagascar is a movie produced by Dreamworks under the direction of Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, who undoubtedly achieved the perfect fusion between 3D animation and comedy, deriving as a final product a film for all audiences full of funny moments, moving music and really good animation for 2005, when watching the film you could tell just by seeing the characters their feelings and expressions that the animation team led by Shannon Jeffries as art director wanted to portray them to us.

The story of the film begins in the New York zoo, where there's a very diverse group of friends, consisting of a lion who is the protagonist (Alex),his best friend, a zebra (Marty),a hippopotamus (Gloria) and a giraffe (Melman). It all begins when Marty, on his 10th birthday, regrets how routine his life has become, which is increased by his desire to know what there is outside the walls that keep him captive, this dream of changing his life, combined with the ideas of a group of penguins which act as a squad of soldiers, leads this group of friends on many adventures.

The film is very entertaining, since its mixture of fiction and reality along, with some moments of dark humor, keep the audience focused on what will happen next during the film's 82 minutes, additionally, it instills important values like friendship and the anthropomorphic behavior of the characters will make us feel even more involved in the story that is presented to us.

I have to admit, I was sick of the over advertising, but I decided to give Madagascar a chance. Lately, I've actually been getting more into the computer animation flicks and wanted to see what Madagascar was all about. I don't get why there are a lot of users here on IMDb that absolutely hate this film or didn't really get into it, because I thought it was a very cute and enjoyable film for the kids and adults.

Marty, Meldman, Alex, and Gloria are all zoo kept animals who are pampered all day and entertain humans on a constant schedule. Marty wants more though, he wonders where he comes from and what it would be like to be in the wild. Alex, the lion, is truly against this and will have no part of it, but tries to find Marty after he escapes. The rest of the gang follows, but they are caught by the animal catchers and are sent back, but accidentally fall of the boat shipping them home and they end up on an island called Madagascar. They are "welcomed", if that's the right word, by other animals and must learn how to survive, but it's going to be hard when Alex is starving for meat!

I loved the American Beauty and Chariot of Fire references, I thought they were just so funny! There are more than a few good laughs in this film and I felt like it was being unfairly rated here on IMDb, yes, it's not as great as The Incredables, but I really feel like anyone could love this film. I'm actually going to be on my way to buy it, I loved it that much, so please give this movie a fair chance. Believe me, it's worth your time.

8/10

I did find Madagascar fun, entertaining and enjoyable. I do agree, that the script was a tad weak at times. While very funny in places, it was not so funny in others, probably to do with the pop culture references, that children won't understand. I liked the idea of the plot, but it is fair to say, that it isn't exactly what I can call action-packed; it does start off a little slow. But the last half once we are introduced to the jungle creatures picks up the pace. However, there are many redeeming qualities, the animation is lovely with colourful backgrounds and good character animation. The soundtrack is very good too, and so is the voice acting, who made the most of the questionable material they were given. Jada Pinkett Smith is given little to do, but Chris Rock and Ben Stiller seem to be having great fun as Marty and Alex. David Schimmer has his moments as Melmann. Though my favourite characters were the four penguins, they were so cute and funny. And the jungle creatures, voiced by Cedric the Entertainer and Sacha Boren Cohen were a hoot. All in all, above average, could have done with a more tightly structured story and a (little) funnier script, but it is likable and entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox