A little edgy for a kid's movie, but pretty good for a threequel.

Rating: 8/10 (2 December 2012)

I was surprised about this one - normally by the time you hit movie number three, the same story has been taken, chewed and spat out in much less appetizing form - but this movie was actually entertaining! Yeah, so the plot is pretty thin - the movie more than makes up for it with engaging visuals, fun characters and Captain DuBois, the franchise's newest villain. This is McDormand at her best. The over-the-top animal catcher has it all - from a tough-as-nails attitude to the ability to sing songs that leave everyone with smudged mascara (you have to see it to believe it). Cranston's Russian tiger is a complex character in a simple film, and Martin Short's sea lion could elicit a chuckle from the crustiest of moviegoers. The main characters don't really do anything we didn't see in the trailers - surprise! Gloria and Melman love the circus! - but Marty's circus Afro song is still a memorable part of the movie. And finally, kids will be rolling on the floor when Kin Julian falls in love with tricycle-riding bear Sonya, but Alex and Gia's romance will charm adults with a simple, heartfelt message - home is where the heart is.