Europe's (or indeed the world's) Most Wanted...

Rating: 9/10 (27 November 2012)

...Sequel that is.
Let's face it- at the moment, everyone's jumping on the trilogy bandwagon. Some though provide more successful results than others.
Madagascar 3 is DEFINITELY one of these successes.
Taking off where the second film left off (with some dialogue EXACTLY the same) the film is thrust straight into the continuing struggle to find home of our favourite bunch of animals.
Swimming to Monte Carlo to reunite with the Penguins and Chimps, they face possibly one of the most brilliant, if a little unrealistically super-human at times (note how she smashes through building walls), villain in the shape of 'Captain Dubois', Animal Control.
With Dubois on their tails, the animals join a travelling circus and make their way across the European continent, where more hilarity ensues as they realize they need to re-invent the floundering acts.
There are some truly beautiful moments in this film, such as the Trapeze Rehearsal with Alex and Gia, all helped by an excellent score. Combine with some visually stunning animation (such as that in the London Circus performance) and some snappy and humorous lines and you've found yourself what has to be one of the best films of the year.
Very few films reach a third and continue to be consistently good (or better) but Madagascar 3 is certainly one of them. Enjoyed it so much did I that I have seen it TWICE at the cinema, and would happily see it many times over.
My only criticism of the film overall is the clichéd underlying romance story. I don't see why one of these has to be crow-barred into every film these days; it can't be claimed as compulsory or helpful to EVERY story as the first Madagascar went without and did absolutely fine.
This aside, what you have here is an all-round thoroughly enjoyable film that will keep you entertained every time you watch it. And should we be so lucky as to receive a fourth instalment, then I genuinely wouldn't mind, and there aren't many film series where I would say that believe me...