As animated kid flicks go, the Madagascar franchise is certainly a lesser evil. It's way more tolerable than the other mega-franchise featuring a ragtag gang of animals voiced by a ragtag gang of TV and movie stars, Ice Age, and with this third installment, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, it's actually found a way to improve on itself.

Yes, while the first Madagascar was adequately charming and the second was, well, less-so, it seemed as though this film series was going to go the predictable route of diminishing returns. But Madagascar 3 really is one of those animated movies that adults will be able to enjoy. No, it's not top-shelf Pixar booze, but it is funny; with actual clever lines of dialogue meant for viewers over eight. And no, it's not just a lot of Shrek-esque pop culture references save for King Julian's (Sacha Baron Cohen) obsession with dance-pop of course.

In fact, one of the reasons that these films have been so successful is that they've been able to provide us with an ample amount of scene-stealing supporting characters that regularly outshine the four main animals. The espionage-obsessed Penguins (who already have their own Nick TV series and a spinoff movie in the works) and the lemurs are funny enough to distract you from the fact that the lion, the zebra, the giraffe and the hippo have grown a bit tired. In fact, one of the things that Madagascar 3 does, to its credit, is drop the whole notion that all four of the leads need to have their own separate story/journey going on and just treats them like a perpetual globe-trotting, screaming ball of neurosis.

And while the rule of sequels demands that the action and adventure get exponentially heightened by whatever number follows the title, the fact that this is the first Madagascar film to be pimped out in 3D means that, frankly, it's going to exhaust you a bit. The laws of physics simply don't apply (sometimes for comedy's sake, sometimes for the hell of it) and often times the chase sequences, or circus scenes, come off as a bunch of loud noises and flashing colors. The action and visuals have been souped-up like crazy for this go round, which kicks things off with a giant chase through Monte Carlo as Alex, Marty and the rest flee from the obsessed, T-1000-like Captain DuBois (Frances McDormand), eventually seeking refuge inside a traveling carnival that features the likes of Bryan Cranston's gruff Russian tiger, Jessica Chastain's love-interest-for-Alex jaguar and Martin Short's "Heeyya, whatsa matta you-a?" Italian seal. And yes, Short's seal is so stereotypically over-the-top it's hilarious.

This isn't high art. Don't take this mostly-positive review as an actual recommendation to go out and buy a ticket to see it if you don't have to take children to see it. I'm just presuming that there are plenty of other movies out there that might warrant your attention over this one. But in a wretched sea of Smurfs, Marmadukes and Chipmunks, this one won't make you hate yourself afterward. And while touting the third installment in any franchise as the best one seems like an attention-getting move, I think I'd have to say this Part 3 is the best one of the series.

And of course there's...the song. The "Afro Circus" song that somehow managed to break out, simply from the trailers alone, and become the newest thing that kids can't get enough of. I think it's actually the first viral playground meme to firmly take hold since the bunny voiced by Russell Brand pooped out jellybeans in Hop. It's this film's wide-spread identifier at this point and it'll probably also be the single, traceable reason why this silly movie winds up beating Prometheus this weekend.

Matt Fowler is an Editor of IGN. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattIGN.

Was this article informative?

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Review

Da da da la da da afro circus polka dot polka dot afro circus polkadotafrocircusafroafropolkadotafroAFROAFROPOLKADOTCIRCUSASDASGFGJFJK

In This Article

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

What did you think?

IGN's Game of the Year 2020

Best Movie, TV and Comics of the Year Awards 2020

Xbox - January 2021 Games with Gold Trailer

Xbox Series X Controller Review

Recommends

Prolific Video Game and Anime Voice Actor Brad Venable Dies, Aged 43

Ray Fisher Clarifies Cyborg's Removal From The Flash Movie

Hitman 3 - The Final Preview

Netflix's History of Swear Words Review

There Is No Microsoft/Duracell Deal Meaning Xbox Has to Use AA Batteries in Controllers

Star Trek: Discovery Review - ‘That Hope Is You, Part 2’

Nintendo eShop Down, Seemingly Due to Monster Hunter Rise Demo Demand [Updated]

Discovery+ Streaming Service Review

Games

Entertainment

IGN Themes

IGN