Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - Review

Original Theatrical Poster

     The final film review before Madagascar 3's, which arrives on Sunday. Will that film be able to top the amazing original sequel? Only time will tell! Released on November 7, 2008 by DreamWorks Animation with a production budget of $150 Million, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa earned $603, 900, 354. Reviews for the film were mixed as were the original, however this time they were more positive than negative! I really feel like critics are a bit to harsh on the Madagascar films, but luckily these films are a success regardless! With good reason too, as these films really are great hilarious adventures. Like any good review, let's delve in and dissect the characters and plot!
Characters and Story: All of our favorite characters from the first film are back, which is great because DreamWorks Animation created some of the best characters in modern animation! Each character is full of their own unique personality, and each add great elements to the film. Alex most certainly takes center stage this time around as he finds his long lost parents. 
    

Melman as a Witch Doctor

    Just because the film's plot mostly revolves around Alex, fear not! Unlike the first film, Melman and Gloria get so much more time to develop as characters. Early on in the film, Melman confesses his love for Gloria, unfortunately she was asleep. As Melman finds the other giraffes, he discovers they just go to hole to die when any little disease effects them. It was fun to see that other giraffes have the same out look on sickness as Melman did. Now we get to see Melman come full circle, finally having over come his fear of getting sick, he becomes the Witch Doctor for the other giraffes.
     
     It was really nice to see his character finally grow, not only adding many more laughs as the Witch Doctor, but finally adding more depth to this character. Along with him being the doctor, they film makers added even more depth to his character by adding his love for Gloria. This was a great plot device that help Melman's character grow as well as Gloria's. We find out that Gloria wants to sign up for the breeding program when the return to the Zoo, causing jealousy in Melman. Later when they are in Africa, Gloria meets Moto Moto while hanging out with the other hippos. 

Gloria and Moto Moto on a date

     Gloria is extremely attracted to Moto Moto as is super excited when he asks her out. Of course when she tells Melman and the others, Melman gets so jealous that he leaves in a hurry. All of this drama creates such a great plot for Melman and Gloria and really helped their characters grow so much. I'm really happy that we got a lot of more screen time with both of these amazing characters; it really helped add to the film. 
    
     However, like I said earlier, the bulk of the plot is actually centered on Alex. He was originally born in Africa, but when some poachers take him he ends up in New York, thus landing in the Central Park Zoo. Finding his family is extremely exciting for Alex, especially since he has vauge memories of his old life. Alex wants to rejoin the tribe and make his father proud, who thinks he is a King. The evil Makunga doesn't want this to happen because he wants to be Alpha Lion, so he takes advantage of Alex being new and naive. All of this causes Alex to make a fool of him self when he starts dancing during a fight with the biggest lion in the tribe, Teetsi. It doesn't end well with Alex being banished from the tribe and his disappointed father and mother leaving with him, making Makunga Alpha Lion. 

Alex meeting his parents

     
     As you can see, all of these things happening to Alex creates so much more character for him. Where as before his character growth involved him having to overcoming his selfishness and be there for his friend, Alex now has a family and has to emotionally grow and try to become a responsible lion like his parents always wanted for him. It really turns Alex into a more believable character with more adult problems and it's great to see him mature. 


     Of course Marty gets the least amount of time on screen, but he still has some growth. Marty doesn't fell special in Africa because all of the zebras are just like him! It doesn't help when Alex talks to a zebra thinking it's Marty, and Marty listens in shock. It adds a little growth for Alex and Marty, giving them another trial to test their friendship. It's a nice little addition that helps us see some of Marty's emotional concerns as well.

Which one is Marty?

     Our other ensemble characters have their own little adventures as well. King Julien and Maurice parade around as Julien claims himself as the African King. Julien also helps Melman pull himself together and go after Gloria, which was fun to watch, however he also makes Melman believe that if he jumps into the volcano as a sacrifice, the Gods will bring the water back. Mort is trying his hardest to catch up to King Julien and Maurice, but keeps getting chased by a shark. The penguins are up to their usual spy shenanigans, this time stealing tour jeeps to get parts for the construction of the airplane. Of course this causes the people of the tour bus to fend for themselves in the wild, my only problem with this film.

Crazy old Nana

     The grandma that beat Alex up in the first film is back, and she is still kicking. She leads the stranded group of tourists into the jungles of Africa where they build a fire, shelter, and a damn for water. Now, why would these characters go into the jungles of Africa at night? How on earth is that safer than staying on the road where people will find you! The grandma beating up Alex gag was never my favorite anyway and an old lady would never really beat up a lion. Alas, these are only small gripes as it is all just a funny cartoon anyway. That's the thing about the Madagascar films, they have more of a cartoon short feel to them. A shark can follow Mort on land all the way to the volcano and it's funny! Although I feel the tourists and the shark were a little much and kind of broke you out of this film, reminding you it was an animated cartoon film, they are all in good fun. 


     Overall this film is extremely funny, adding so much to each of our main characters. The plot was fantastic, and it was fun to see Alex's family. Aside from it's sillier moments, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa improves on it's predecessor in every way and is an amazing film. My only concern is that I am happy with them in Africa. I don't understand why they want to get back to New York so badly and I was glad they had stayed at the end. I guess we will see how the third film addresses this issue.

Concept art from Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Visuals and Soundtrack: Yes, the soundtrack. I can't believe I forgot to comment on how wonderful the soundtrack on the original film was. Hans Zimmer created such an amazing soundtrack for the first film and this one. Every piece works perfectly and the title theme is fantastic. If you read my review for the the first film, there isn't much to add to this one as far as visuals go. Madagascar 2 did receive a beautiful update in it's visuals, and looks leaps and bounds better than the first film. Some of the shots of Africa are almost breath taking and everything looks fantastic. Character design is top notch, per usual, and the African inspired art style is spectacular. It separates this film from so many other computer generated films and is a blast to look at.

The ensemble of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Conclusion: All in all, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a much better film than the first. The film continues with the hilarious laughs from the first film, while managing to bring so much more depth to all of the main characters. The film is absolutely beautiful with an amazing soundtrack to compliment it. Even with it's quirkier moments, this film shines as some of DreamWorks Animation's best work. The film works as a cohesive whole and is definitely a must watch. Even if you haven't seen the first one, the film recaps for you at the beginning and is a great introduction to the film. A lot of people, and adults in particular, may find the film "unrealistic, but cute." That's the thing about animation, you just have to except that these films are trying to be fun and do things other films can't. If this movie still isn't for you and "In case of a loss of oxygen, please place your masks over your faces to hide your terrified expressions from the other passengers."