Superior sequel

Rating: 10/10 (4 November 2012)

After reading glowing reviews of this latest instalment in the Madagascar franchise, and after hugely enjoying the previous two movies, my hopes were high for a similar helping of nonsensical mayhem and was not in the slightest bit disappointed.
The familiar faces are all there once again, this time making a successful return to New York Zoo, and picking up a few new friends (and enemies) on the way. Alex and the bunch travel via a Monaco casino and then, pursued by Animal Control, hitch a ride with a failing circus to Rome and London to earn themselves a trip across the Atlantic, and home. Once there, they discover they have outgrown the Zoo which has become a prison for them. They are pursued all the way by a formidable French Animal Control officer, voiced by Frances McDormand, intent on completing her collection of wall trophies with Alex's head. Needless to say, she and her assistants get their just desserts, but I get the distinct feeling she will be back in the next sequel, angrier than ever.
Alex and the gang get their fair share of screen time and wisecracks, with only King Julien sidelined a little. The monkeys and the penguins were as manic as ever, and Alex holds the group together nicely. The newcomers come in the form of a failing circus, and they present an entirely new group, the chief characters being Gia the trapeze jaguar who develops a crush on Alex, Vitaly a tiger suffering a crisis of confidence, and Stefano the sea-lion, wonderfully voiced by Martin Short. These three are as close as Alex and his friends are, but learn to like and then love their new companions as they overcome the various obstacles in their way. All the animals and the humans also, even the Italian policemen, are given time to endear and engage with the audience, and this is done seamlessly with great skill. I spotted nods to the Matrix, with the banana machine gun and Shawshank Redemption, with the wall poster, and there are probably a whole bundle more.
I saw it in 3D and would recommend it – the animation is sumptuous and exhilarating. The characters are beautifully observed and well scripted. The humour is engaging with plenty for children and adults to enjoy.
I liked the tour promoter the Circus had to impress in London. Alex spies for anyone looking like an American in the audience, well there's Uncle Sam himself with a bald eagle feeding him a piece of popcorn! Hmmm – rather obvious! Excellent!
(I also particularly enjoyed the Circus's visit to Rome, having been there myself two years ago, and recognising not only the Vatican and the Colosseum, but also the police station in the city centre which was opposite the hotel we stayed in!)
There is not much of a plot or a story to speak of, other than the journey itself being an excuse to hang set piece after set piece of massively excessive CGI which is highly entertaining. If there is a message it is about friendships forged in the face of adversity, all pulling together with their passion, enthusiasm and belief conquering all.
The movie closes the return to New York, and ends with the whole gang steaming off on a Circus tour of the USA to continue the insanity. Ninety-three minutes passed like a snap of the fingers and I, for one, can't wait for the fourth movie.