Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is another entry in the Madagascar series, a family-friendly animated film franchise with personable characters and charming comedy. Europe’s Most Wanted promises another humorous adventure packed with talking animals, impressive animation, and heartwarming themes. As a franchise, the Madagascar movies have proven to be quality entertainment that stand the overall test of time.
However, many animated family-films can start to have franchise fatigue around the third outing. Does Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted keep the franchise fresh and alive with new ideas, or is this a lackluster cash-in attempt? Let’s see if the Madagascar magic still works the third time around.
How to Stream or Download Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
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The Film Review
>Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted picks up a short time after the end of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Awaiting the return of their penguin and monkey friends who are on vacation in Monte Carlo, our main cast of animals grow homesick. Alex the Lion (voiced by Ben Stiller) still dreams of his home back in the Central Park Zoo in New York.
>His other friends, including Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) express the same desire. Instead of waiting for the penguins to return, the group plan to travel to Monte Carlo on their own. For the third time in the Madagascar franchise, this attempt to return home results in an unexpected and comedic turn.
>The following adventure is one that’s surprisingly varied, shifting away from the slightly repetitive formula from Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The cast find themselves attempting to break into a casino, which provides a decent amount of espionage and spy-related humor.
>The main plot also sees the animals joining the circus, touring Europe while on the run. Fortunately, the sharp-witted penguins and monkeys play a more integral role in the plot, as they’ve been the funniest characters in the franchise since the start. There’s also a decent villain in the form of Captain Dubois (Frances McDormand), the leader of Animal Control who’s a bit too interested in hunting stray prey.
>In addition to being exceptionally colorful and detailed, the animation in Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is top-notch. There has been a great leap in the quality of the CGI, which is further evidenced in the movie’s many action scenes.
>Chase scenes, in particular, are exceptionally intense, with cool camera angles and an aggressive pace. Generally speaking, it’s a visual treat, with captivating environments and impressive animation.
>Overall, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted delivers another family-friendly adventure that’s ripe with action and comedy. The story and scenery are far more varied than the previous movies, resulting in a colorful and vibrant visual experience.
>The focal characters remain interesting and personable, as the handful of new additions blend in nicely. Where other family-friendly film franchises falter, Madagascar excels with imagination and creativity. Although certain story beats still feel repetitive, the overall experience is more enjoyable than it’s ever been. Even if you’re not a fan of the Madagascar franchise, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is worth checking out.
