Madagascar 2: Return to Africa

Rating: * * *

Verdict

:

More of the same, and definitely one for the kids.

It's not often a sequel is as good as the original film, but

Madagascar 2: Return to Africa

just shades its predecessor by a whisker, 2005's

Madagascar

.

Featuring bolder, crisper animation, Madagascar 2 provides funnier, more consistent and well-rounded entertainment than the first edition; that said, there is a lot that is familiar here.

Similar themes of belonging and friendship dominate the story, and the plot is geared mostly for fun becoming more outlandish as it progresses. The old gang is back, right down to the subway handbag-swinging grandmother, and once again the real stars of the show are the supporting cast; a group of mercenary penguins and a deranged lemur.

After a brief flashback explaining how Alex the Lion (Stiller) ended up in New York's Central Park Zoo, we pick up the story where Madagascar left off. Alex, Marty the zebra (Rock), Melman the giraffe (Schwimmer) and Gloria the hippo (Pinkett Smith) are stranded in Madagascar along with a group of psychotic penguins, and all are preparing to return home in an old plane they have repaired.

The local lemur population celebrates their impending departure with a rousing rendition of their favourite track, I Like To Move It as their new friends board the plane bound for New York. Fortunately directors Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath (who both directed and co-wrote Madagascar) have booked lemur King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) and his sidekick on this flight, knowing full well that their film wouldn't be quite as funny without this fruitloop of a character.

The plane doesn't get very far, crash landing in an African animal reserve (the zoo animals' original destination) where they lay eyes on other animals like themselves for the first time. This unexpected arrival in their true ancestral home takes some adjusting to, and culture shock ensures as their presence causes chaos on the reserve, families are reunited, friendships are challenged and excellent dance moves triumph.

It's not often you find yourself telling people that a group of penguins with a mix-tape have stolen the show, but that's what happens here.

Madagascar 2

won't elevate this

franchise on to my classic animation list, but it is a very enjoyable piece of entertainment for the whole family.

- Francesca Rudkin

Cast

: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer

Directors

: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath

Running Time

: 85 mins

Rating

: PG (Contains low level violence)

Screening

: Hoyts, Berkeley and SkyCity Cinemas