Manic, silly, and better than the original

Rating: 7/10 (17 January 2017)

IS MADAGASCAR 2: ESCAPE TO Africa ANY GOOD? Superior sequel finds our heroes fleeing Madagascar and reuniting with Alex's (Ben Stiller) family in Africa, where another lion threatens his family's claim to lead the pride. Meanwhile, Melman (David Schwimmer) struggles to confess his feelings to Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Marty tries to establish his own identity among scores of identical zebras. Loaded with hilarious non-sequiturs and inspired silliness.
IS IT OKAY FOR YOUR KIDS? Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa is rated PG. A large male hippo flirts with a female hippo; the camera focuses on his large buttocks and he says how he likes large females. There's plenty of slapstick violence.
ANY WORTHWHILE MESSAGES TO DISCUSS? We all have talents that can contribute to the good of all.