Best non-Pixar animation since The Iron Giant

Rating: 9/10 (30 May 2005)

Very fast, funny, heart warming, and honest. Pop culture references abound. From the previews I thought it was going to be like Ice Age -- one funny bit (in the case of Ice Age, Scrat, in the case of Madagascar, the penguins). But actually this is consistently funny, with a lot of scenes I did not expect to see in a family picture. I especially liked the bit with the cute little yellow duckie. I don't want to praise it too highly -- I think part of my pleasure was going into it not expecting anything much, and being surprised. But it is definitely a movie I'm going to see again and buy on DVD when it comes out.