Madagascar

Rating: 5/10 (4 April 2010)

Shrek invented the whole thing of using a big name cast and putting it on the poster, and this computer animated film had exactly the same tactic. Basically at New York's Central Park Zoo are Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) that entertain the crowds of people visiting. Marty is tired of the same routine and wants to explore new places in the wild, so he escapes his cage, and Alex, Melman and Gloria break out to get him back. All four of them are put into crates bound for Africa, but when the ship is taken over by penguin Skipper (Tom McGrath) and his gang, the four friends are thrown overboard and swept up on a tropical island. They explore the island and find a tribe of partying lemurs, led by King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), along with Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer) who are very friendly. While Marty is excited to stay in this new world, Alex and the others want to go back to the zoo, with all the small dangers and trouble about, but by the end they change their opinions. Also starring Andy Richter as Mort the Mouse Lemur. The voices are all well chosen, and the sight and spoof gags are amusing, so while it doesn't quite have the splendour of Shrek, there is some fun to be had, especially for kids watching, a reasonable animated family comedy adventure. Worth watching!