A Breath of Fresh Air

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 2005)

Some of you are taking this whole animated thing way tooooo serious. This is one of the few animated movies that have been made that keep it clean and simple so that children young & old can enjoy. We went to see this film after it came highly, highly recommended from many friends and co-workers. In a day & time when animated films are being bogged down with heavy drama & long plots with a little humor thrown in, this film kept it light and funny the entire time. My kids love those other movies but at times I know they get lost & confused in the seriousness of the plots. This film reminds me of the old good natured simple have a good laugh cartoons that many of us watched and enjoyed growing up that they don't even make anymore (except maybe the Animaniacs which we love and are hilarious). Cartoons back then were lighthearted, fun and guess what... no heavy plots. We now have Madagascar on DVD and my kids watch it at least 3 times a week. That's more than they have watched any of the other animated films I have and trust me, I have them all from Nemo, Shrek 1 & 2, Monster's Inc., Bug's Life, Shark Tale, the Lion Kings, The Incredibles... if it's animated, we have it and I'm a huge fan of many of the others but I'm here to tell you that my 3 kids from the youngest to the oldest, my husband and myself love this movie. They laughed, laughed and laughed all the way through this film and there is no other animated film that has been made in a long, long time that can claim that one. So for those of you looking for the "serious animated movie" with the deep plot that you will have to break down and explain to your younger kids, this may not be the film for you. I for one am tired of the "downers" and sad moments in these animated films, the unnecessary and at times "too grown up" romantic scenes... Hello, it's animated, not a drama or a soap opera!! So for those that for once would just like to sit down and enjoy a good, have some great laughs with the family without being burdened with an ongoing heavy plot, then get this movie and have some fun. Good for young & old alike and the kids can really get into it being that it's about animals they'll love to see. This movie isn't coming so highly recommended for no reason. Obviously, many of us parents were very pleased to finally see a animated film that we could just sit down with the kids and enjoy without having to explain a plot, wipe away tears, sit through the romantic moments and wait for the film to become fun again. Let's be real, if not for Dory, Finding Nemo would've been a real drag. But this movie has so many fun and funny characters and for us, King Julien and The Penguins stole the show!!! This movie was a breath of fresh air. Kudos to Dreamworks for finally making a film that is completely & totally suitable for children of "ALL AGES" old & young alike... adults will love it too