FILM: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (7/10)

Why did I watch it?
What was the worst that could happen?

What's it all about?
I forget the plot of the franchise's second film Escape to Africa, but here the gang leave Africa and head to Europe (on board the monkey piloted plane). After arriving in Monte Carlo and making a scene at a casino, Marty, Alex, Melman, Gloria, King Julien and the penguins stowaway on-board a circus train.

Should you watch it?
Madagascar 3 is probably the most colourful, bright and energetic film you will see this year. Freshened up with additional characters, the writing is funny for both children and adults, although slightly uneven throughout the film.

Most of the laughs come from Stefano the sea lion, King Julien or the penguins rather than the main characters, the voices of which can become borderline irritating after hearing them in three films. The writing makes homages to plenty of other films, my favourite being the banana gun fired from the plane, which shot in slow-motion as with many stylish action sequences, had banana skins flying out and building up rather than shell casings. The nationalities represented by the new characters of the circus, specifically Eastern Europe, France and Italy, are shamelessly stereotyped. Although I don't take issue with it, on the contrary the Italian sea lion (voiced by Martin Short)  was the funniest character in my view, it is lazy writing to rely on these stereotypes so heavily.

The sequence from the film's start to the end of the chase through Monte Carlo, along parts of the F1 circuit no less, was a brilliant and the highlight of the film. It's unfortunate that this was the first twenty minutes.

Colourful, energetic and often funny third outing for the popular franchise.