Good, not Great!!!!

Rating: 6/10 (16 June 2012)

A very cute family film that the whole family should enjoy. Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and David Schwimmer all reprise their roles as the lovable "fish-out-of-water" NYC zoo animals Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe. In their attempt to get back to the NYC zoo, the gang must join a Russian Circus in order to avoid capture.
In hot pursuit of our fleeing heroes is French Animal Control person Captain Chantel Dubois (voiced by Academy Award Winner Frances McDormand from "Fargo"). She plays the villianess role superbly; surrounded by a team of Clouseau-type detectives, she is determined to add Alex's head to her wall of mounted trophies.
Equally entertaining are the cast of misfit circus performers. Their leader and one time star performer is Vitaly (Bryan Cranston) the tiger, who was injured while performing, and has lost his courage to perform. However, it is Stephano (Martin Short) the half-witted sea lion, who will steal your heart.
But the true stars of the film, as in the two prior films, are the Madagascar Penguins. They truly steal every scene that they are in. The team of Kowalski (Chris Miller), Private (Christopher Knight), and Mason (Conrad Vernon) are pure cinematic genius, and I just love them!!!
Not a great movie, but it's a good family film; and with nothing else out there to compete with, it will rack up handily at the box office. A moderate recommendation; it's good wholesome fun. So enjoy!
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