Penguins of Madagascar ****
If you ever thought the quartet of zoo penguins in Madagascar deserved their own film, this is it. Skipper (Tom McGrath), Rico (John DiMaggio), Kowalski (Jeff Bennett), and Private (James Patrick Stuart) regroup in a Bond-style adventure that starts off with a comical March of the Penguins spoof. This sets the sharp-witted tone ahead with many great puns while keeping the kids entertained by a new set of animated heroes.
Getting separated from their colony after finding an egg, the three flightless friends protect their new chick (Private), grow up together, then end up coming face to face with ‘Dave’, an octopus they shared zoo-time with who turns out to be super villain Dr Octavius Brine (voiced by John Malkovich) with a major grudge against them and their kind. He wants to destroy the world and all its ‘cute’ penguins. On his case are agents from a secret agency, North Wind, led by a suave wolf (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), also out to stop Dave.
The endearing quality these penguins have is their positive attitude to every obstacle in their path, wrapped up in some great one-liners and equally silly word plays. The writers have gone to town here, while adding lots of visual gags that will keep you suitably tickled throughout. Plus, to top it off, it’s a whirl of vibrant colour to brighten the mood.
Like every animated film out now, expect breakneck action scenes that veer towards overkill when the animated characters and what they are saying are entertainment enough. There is also another moment of déjà vu with another villain using a custom-made machine to alter the world, as we know it, so this part of the film is only saved from tedium (for adults) by the penguins and their quick retorts. This is yet another film that does not need to be watched in 3D to get the full effect, so save the pennies.
Penguins of Madagascar is definitely top-notch festive family fun and a collectively appealing film – this reviewer took her 22-month-old son along who sat still throughout (minus the 3D glasses so that tells you just how much of an ‘effect’ the 3D has). The penguins become big personalities in their own right and great role models so should expect another big-screen outing again.
4/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
