Punches its key themes of friendship, togetherness and family amid a hyperactive swirl of jokes, musical numbers and physical gags.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:29
Fresh:18
Rotten:11
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is an improvement on the original, with more fleshed-out characters, crisper animation and more consistent humor.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Dec 18, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $179,982,968
Synopsis: In 2008's MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, the endearing New York City zoo animals of the original hit movie return for another zany round of CGI adventures abroad. Leaving the island of the title by... In 2008's MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA, the endearing New York City zoo animals of the original hit movie return for another zany round of CGI adventures abroad. Leaving the island of the title by way of a ramshackle penguin-designed aircraft, the quartet of Alex the Lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), along with unlikely friends such as King Julien the Lemur (Sacha Baron Cohen), crash-land on the African savannah, setting in motion a whole new series of exploits, involving Alex's long-lost parents (Bernie Mac and Sherri Shepherd) and a stranded group of tenacious NYC human tourists. Reuniting directors Tom McGrath and Eric Darnell, as well as all the principal cast members of the first film, MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA takes full advantage of its sweeping setting, making room for beautifully expansive landscapes amidst the mammal mayhem. While the leads are in fine form, they are ably assisted by series newcomers, including the late Mac, Shepherd, and Alec Baldwin, who plays a scheming rival lion. Though various plotlines get increasingly ridiculous as the movie goes on (see the return of MADAGASCAR's aggressive Grand Central Station granny), the good-natured main characters and their silly support players (particularly lemurs and penguins) keep ESCAPE 2 AFRICA entertaining no matter how far the story strays off the wildlife reserve. [More]
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, Will.I.Am
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Screenwriter: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Etan Cohen
Producer: Mireille Soria, Mark Swift
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Dreamworks SKG
Reviews for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
The animation is as breathtakingly beautiful as before and if anything, the sequel is funnier and sharper than the original thanks to a witty screenplay.
It's a very handsome production, and a pretty funny one, too, which will keep audiences of all ages -- except perhaps the most cynical -- thoroughly entertained.
Whatever else I felt about the movie, this is good animation. The colours are extraordinary, the backgrounds stunning.
More complete and satisfying than the original, this fun-filled sequel springboards its endearing animal characters into another hilarious and colourful hair-raising adventure all the family will love.
The pop culture references, the dance numbers and the in-jokes we enjoyed in the first film are here for parents and kids alike, as is the irreverent humour.
Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath’s exhilarating cartoon is a medley of comic humiliations as the sophisticated New Yorkers fail to cut the mustard in the real wild. The Heath Robinson invention will delight adults. The ironies will thrill kids. Great fun.
This much-anticipated sequel is a frankly disappointing piece of opportunism, with a non-plot which shamelessly rips off The Lion King.
The roots are shallow, but the sequel is good-natured, high-spirited and perfectly enjoyable if you take it for what it is.
Fans of the first Madagascar will find much to enjoy in Escape 2 Africa.
There's a generally more diverting entertainment waddling along the edges of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa than the larger one lollygagging on screen.
Though it doesn't add anything new to the genre, Madagascar 2 is amusing animated fare.
This is a brighter, more engaging film than the original Madagascar.
Latest News for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
January 08, 2009:
Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics' Choice Winners
The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were given on January 8, 2009, to honor the finest achievements in 2008 filmmaking. A list of nominees follows below, with winners in bold: More...
December 05, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Writers Warm to Madagascar 2; UK Critics Liked Lakeview Terrace
With thirteen new releases in the UK cinemas this weekend, let Rotten Tomatoes help you sort the tinsel from the turkeys. We have animals on the loose in Madagascar: Escape 2... More...
November 30, 2008:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Four Christmases has a lot to be thankful for this weekend
Four Christmases had a sensational Thanksgiving weekend in the number one spot. Bolt picked up the pace while the sun started to set on Twilight. More...
November 16, 2008:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Bond Tops Toons With $70M
This weekend Sony and MGM shattered the record for the biggest James Bond opening in franchise history with their latest installment Quantum of Solace which audiences powered to... More...
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