Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa: Review By Bawnian©-Dexeus

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a 2008 animated movie.

Directed by: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath

*In Memory of Bernie Mac*

Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer,Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, Sherri Shepherd, WIll I. Am, Jada Pinkett Smith, Cedric the Entertainer and Sacha Baron Cohen.

The quad group has returned to the big screen after their animated debut back in 2005. This time, they find themselves in Africa upon leaving Madagascar on a restored plane piloted by the penguins and crash land. Since the first movie had it's ups and downs, I wasn't excited for a sequel but decided to give it a shot. It also gave me a chance to enjoy the company of the penguins but also, to see how the four characters would react to finally be back in the wild.

At some point ,you ask yourself, why are these animals so fixated on return to New York? But, we never question such logic. Then again, kids won't pay attention to what adults catch until they are older. I'm surprised they named it "Escape 2 Africa", since they left of their own free will. So yes, they crash in Africa, and find themselves at home. Finally in the wild where nature meant for them to be. New secrets are also unveiled. Alex's real name turns out to be Alakai when he meets his father, Zuba (Mac). A lot of details fall into this plot: Zuba is challenged by Makunga (Baldwin) to be the tribe leader in the animal kingdom and the lion dome, Gloria meets with an alpha male full of nothing but blubber in the brain called Motto Motto, as it threatens Melman since he loves Gloria, Marty isn't comfortable being around Zebra's who are literally alike to him, and so on.

The whole idea is goofy, especially a Giraffe and a Hippo falling for eachother. And like the first movie, they are faced with survival for the second time, which is really the theme of it all. Animals fully domesticated and raised in the concrete jungle shouldn't be able to live a day in the wilderness, and results to be an animated attempt to Animal Planet. While the jokes to satisfy the kids and the adults are yet again a hit and a miss, the simple position of a talented voice cast with marvelous colors in the background. The makers sure know how to keep Africa looking beautiful, even at it's worst. The movie may have some silly action, but watching Alex break dance like a sissy along with his father; easily the best part of the movie. And let's not forget the penguins and the two chimpanzee attempting to rebuild the crashed airplane.

Overall, an improvement over the first adventure.

Written by: Bawnian©-Dexeus.