Likable

Rating: 6/10 (19 July 2005)

This film had it's good and bad parts. On one hand, the plot was predictable, the jokes not particularly funny and the speed of the characters movement gave me a headache (they constantly run around and jump and dance). I did like the characters, although they weren't anything new or interesting. David Schwimmer (as the giraffe) made me laugh, but mainly because I could compare the personality of the giraffe to that of Schwimmer's character Ross in the TV show Friends - both a bit paranoid and very cautious at all times. Ali G (as the lemur king) made me giggle as well when he danced, and I particularly liked the 'wackiness' of his character. The penguins were probably the most enjoyable characters on the film - they were "psychotic" (as the lion Alex liked to call them) and I found them very entertaining to watch. The animation in this film was very well done. I noticed in particular the perfection on the water effects (eg by the sea in Madagascar or in Gloria's swimming pool) and Alex's mane (how it moves when he does). I would say this film is enjoyable. It isn't anything new or fantastic, but it did have small moments where it made you smile or laugh. Otherwise it got a bit predictable really. My advice - see if you liked Shrek. But don't expect too much - the trailers make it look better than it is!