DreamWorks Animation, Pacific Data Images (PDI),
Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short
At the end of #2 the animals were left in Africa (Remember: it was called Escape 2 Africa, right?). Now Alex and the friends want to get back to the United States, but have no way back. But serendipitously they bump into a traveling circus (which always has room for some new animals) and the join up to travel Europe, hoping to be discovered so they can get a gig back in New York City. But as usual, there are a lot of trials and tribulations along the way.
This is a nice little cartoon film that is very typical of this genre. I felt like they didn’t put a whole lot of work to this, just went the usual Dreamworks method of getting a gang of famous actors who don’t do voices, but just play themselves in their own voice. The story is not really unique, and not very interesting for those over 10. I’m sure the kids will love it, and you can certainly put it on the DVD to keep them entertained (and stop them from driving you nuts) on a rainy Saturday afternoon, but this is simply not classic cinema. Pixar they aren’t. Dreamworks has just not put it all together just yet. The Shrek series was very popular, due a lot to an very original story, but even that has kind of worn out and they’re struggling to find something fresh and unique again I’m sure, but things like Madagascar 3 are just holding the place to keep the animators (or are the programmers now?) working until that fresh and new idea comes along.
Lacking in excitement and wonder, this is just a Saturday Morning TV Cartoonish revisit to the characters with such original music as Katy Perry “Firework” and Edith Piaf’s 1960 “Non, regrette rien”. Not shabby songs, in their own right, but not very original. I say, unless you’ve got little ones who need some entertainment, give this one a pass, as there’s just not enough there to keep an adult interested in the meager plot.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
