Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman Get Their (Circus) Act Together and Give Their Best "Madagascar" Performance To Date

Rating: 10/10 (24 June 2013)

The first two "Madagascar" films are not bad films. They introduced us to an off-beat but likable quartet of zoo escapees who negotiate a crazy, unfamiliar outside world in a madcap attempt to get home. They also introduced us to another quartet - devious but hilarious covert operation penguins sometimes offering "help" to the other quartet but more often engineering get-rich-quick scams. Finally, we have the boisterous lemur trio led by an egocentric lemur "king". They ensured that the first two "Madagascar" films were at least fun, lively, colorful, and even quick-witted from time to time. But in my humble opinion, the two films lacked a certain something that kept them from being truly memorable.
I think that "something" missing was control. What I mean by that is that Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) didn't seem to have control of their destinies. They passively let fate (and the penguins, and even a little old lady in Alex's humiliating case) slap them around a little too much. However, I think things gloriously change and improve in "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (hereafter "Mad 3"). Alex and his friends not only gain more proactive control in getting home, they reveal previously hidden skills and abilities and even take on responsibility for making others' lives better.
I'll try to give just a basic skeleton of "Mad 3's" plot (yeah, right). The movie begins with Alex and friends still stuck on the African wildlife preserve, perhaps vainly waiting for commando-minded Skipper (Tom McGrath) and his penguin crew to fly back in the rickety aircraft from Monte Carlo after making repairs. Tired of waiting, they, plus the wacky King Julian (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his lackeys sensible Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer) and the obsequious Mort (Andy Richter), snorkel all the way to Monte Carlo and find the penguins in disguise playing roulette in a casino. Hiding in the rafters, Alex and friends plan to nab the sneaky penguins and force them to fly everyone home.
Of course, things go awry and all the animals find themselves relentlessly pursued throughout the city by Animal Control Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand). A combination of Lucille Ball, Inspector Javert, a bloodhound, and the Terminator, Captain DuBois's true goal is mounting Alex's head on a wall. Despite DuBois's non-stop efforts, all the animals find refuge on a circus train. Learning that the train's tour itinerary includes New York, Alex figures that it can finally take him and his friends home. Before that can happen, though, they must ingratiate themselves with the circus's skeptical members. Gia the trapeze-artist jaguar (Jessica Chastain) and Alex's potential paramour, and Stefano, the high-strung Italian sea lion (Martin Short) and first cousin to Sid the sloth in the "Ice Age" movies, are relatively easily won over. Vitaly the gruff and sullen Siberian Tiger (Bryan Cranston) is a tougher cocoanut to crack because he is suspicious of Alex and friends' circus credentials. Also, he is a hoop-jumping star in decline because of a fiery stunt gone wrong.
The rest of the circus is not in such hot shape. It is dilapidated and playing to smaller and smaller crowds. If Alex and company want to get home, they got to help Vitaly get his nerve back and make the circus acts really eye-poppingly spectacular again. Meanwhile, they must also stay ahead of the seemingly unstoppable Captain DuBois, still on their trail. Can Alex and company accomplish these three goals? What if the circus troupe finds out the truth about their real intentions? Will DuBois get her stuffed lion head? "Mad 3" is, I think, the best, at least so far, of the franchise because at last Alex and company take matters into their own paws and hooves to improve not only their circumstances, but those of others. And how! Alex's cajoling, encouragement, and athletic skills start to inspire the troupe, especially the smitten Gia. Gloria and the insecure Melman not only perfect a literal high-wire act, but a romantic one, too. Irrepressible Marty helps Stefano with the cannonball act and the circus with a "rainbow afro". Even selfish Julien romantically bonds with melancholy bear Sonya and adds new dimensions to her cycling act. All this culminates in a gravity-defying, pulse-pounding circus extravaganza, like Cirque de Soleil to the nth power.
So "Mad 3" certainly has the energy, fire, and comic zaniness of its predecessors. But beyond that, it unexpectedly reveals lessons in friendship, self-reliance, helping others, overcoming inhibitions, self-sacrifice, and what home really means. If you liked the first two "Madagascar" movies, "Mad 3" will really make your happiness soar. If you weren't crazy about the first two, I suggest giving "Mad 3" a try. You just might end up with an exciting, meaningful, and unforgettable experience.