Well this was worth the price of admission

Rating: 9/10 (3 July 2012)

I saw this at a drive-in. There were multiple "technical difficulties" and the movie did not start on time. Even with these discrepancies, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" proves to be the most entertaining animation this year. It outdoes its predecessors in so many levels.
Bored with their time in Africa, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe make an effort to get back to the Big Apple. They end up getting pursued by Europe's most notorious animal catcher, Chantel Dubois. To evade capture, they hide out with an animal circus that is traveling Europe. Here they meet new friends and attempt to work their way home. A huge advantage to this Madagascar over the others is the story. Sure, the plot is simple, but it is effective. The fact that there is a villain helps push it along—unlike the other Madagascar films.
These movies have always been known for going over the top. This one takes it to the extent that it is ridiculously funny. The penguins clean out casinos with the help of the monkeys in human disguise. A tiger can jump through a circus ring that is smaller than a doorknob. King Julien falls in love with a bear that wears a tutu and rides a bicycle. The animals drive a car in a chase that nearly destroys Monte Carlo. And all of this is just within the first half hour. The voice talent from the previous films return at their very best, which scores some points.
However, the new voice actors outshine the original cast. Martin Short delivers cleverly as the idiotic Italian Seal Stefano. Bryan Cranston pulls off a marvelous Russian accent as Vitaly the Tiger. Jessica Chastain sells as the adorable Gia. The one who tops them all though is Frances McDormand as Captain Chantel Dubois—the movie's antagonist. She makes a good French accent and enunciates her words with a sly, devilishness. In addition, her character design and the animators make her capable of anything. She can dodge vehicles in a car chase, crawl on all fours like a spider, and even sing her minions to perfect health. If an animated character could win an Oscar, it should go to Chantel Dubois!
I enjoyed every minute of this movie and I will buy it when it hits the retail stores. As Skipper says, "Well that was worth the price of admission."