Dreamworks' Madagascar is the latest computer animated film to hit the big screens, hot on the heels of Blue Sky Studios' Robots, which in turn, did not fare as well as recent films of the same genre such as The Incredibles or Shrek 2. For such a film to be considered a success, it must not only engage its prime target audience of kids and tweens, it should also win the approval of the adults who accompany the kids and those who are simply, ardent cinema-goers.
Two things are imperative in a computer-animated flick; 1) dazzling and distinctive animation work, and 2) a good story that is held together by tight scripting. If the former is managed well, then audiences of all ages are satisfied but any lack in the latter would only be forgiven by children (or those with such mental capacity). This is not helped by the fact that box-office hits like The Incredibles, Shrek and Finding Nemo, have set such high standards for future animated work. Although Robots fulfilled the first criterion with ease, some critics were still dissatisfied by its slipshod storyline.
To its credit, the visuals in Madagascar are on par with other computer-animated fare. Regrettably, however, it is not blessed with the ingenious wit of someone like Robin Williams, and with a storyline that got bogged down halfway-through faster than a sinking Titanic, this film is definitely a dud in MY book. Sure, Chris Rock and Ben Stiller (Marty the zebra and Alex the lion respectively) lend some much-needed credibility but their vocal-work are devoid of the bite that might have made them truly memorable and engaging. Furthermore, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer, in supporting roles, are wasted talents as they play merely pedestrian characters that do not contribute significantly to the film's whole. Ironically, it is the backdrop characters, (a bunch of penguins intent on espionage and a pack of party-crazy lemurs) which provide the only source of zany comedy that keeps us adults guffawing in our seats.The premise of this film -- a quartet of zoo animals let loose in busy Manhattan and trying to adapt in the wild -- shows a lot of promise but unfortunately, the ending falls abit flat. After last year's abysmally unfunny Shark Tale, I had hoped that Dreamworks would have come up with a better film. Nonetheless, having said that, Madagascar is not really a bad movie...
my ratings ---- 3.3/5 stars!!!
