Film Review--Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
directed by Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
written by Etan Cohen
starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada-Pinkett Smith, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, David Schwimmer, Andy Richter, Cedric the Entertainer, Sacha Baron-Cohen, Christopher Knights, Chris Miller, Sherri Shepherd

This sequel to the hit global sensation provides a bit more complexity, more color and even crisper animation as we learn more about the origins of Alex the Lion, the “King of New York”.

We learn immediately that Alex as a cub was stolen from his parents Zuma (Mac) and Florrie (Shepherd). He is crated but falls into the ocean and winds up in New York where he becomes the all-dancing, half-crazed sensation that wowed New Yorkers out on a stroll through the Central Park Zoo with their tots in tow. The story flash forwards to where the gang were left in the previous installment. Only they’ve somehow managed to commandeer an air plane and are about to transport themselves back home. Of course everything goes horribly awry and they crash land in the plains of Africa.

Now, Africa is a funky place for our fine friends. First there is its impossible vastness. It’s open in a terrifying way to those who are used primarily to being closed in and codified. Secondly, they discover large herds of animals just like themselves and this throws them off considerably. They have no memories of such behavior and it takes them a considerable amount of time to adjust to the possibilities. Marty the Zebra (Rock) is the first to forge ahead and soon finds himself running in a wild herd of his own kind. He absorbs the experience but soon is waylaid when he discovers that he might not be any different from the rest of them. This realization depresses Marty especially after Alex confuses another zebra for him.

This film is all about connecting with one’s roots and it seems to promote the idea that Africa is the cradle of civilization. Alex is reunited with his parents but is forced to take part in an initiation ceremony that goes askew when he mistakes it for a dancing competition. His father, the Alpha lion is forced to give up his position to the scheming Makunga (Baldwin) who takes over the mantle and quickly loses the allegiance of the other lions.

There are several tender scenes scattered throughout this film. Particularly moving is the scene when Florrie first recognizes Alex and he is brought back into the fold. There is something powerful about such images as they resonate throughout humanity across all boundaries of space and time. There is also a really strong sense of order and purpose in this film. The animals that are discovered in Africa follow their natural imperative and prey on the weak as a matter of course although there is naturally none of that shown here. One wouldn’t want to utterly terrify the toddlers teething merrily with Mom and Dad. Still, this idea exists and it poses a vibrant contrast between the captive animals and those who have remained in the wild.

Julien the King of the Lemurs (Baron-Cohen) proves that power can be transferred at will because there are always going to be subjects who demand to be led and conquered. He has no problems adjusting to the new scene and makes his way charmingly about as if nothing had changed. He seeks power and realizes it on the backs of anyone in search of a master. His natural leading capabilities work just as well on other creatures as they do on the lemurs who seem sycophantic and weak in comparison.

This story features humans where they were essentially missing at the first one showing up primarily at the zoo and Grand Central Station. In this one we confront a great number of tourists who are forced to fend for themselves and build a little society in the heart of the jungle. They are a rather sour lot, especially the old witch Nana who beat Alex down during the first film and gives him a double dose in this one. She is another born leader who doesn’t fret about her circumstances and blithely goes about the business of reestablishing order. She and Julien are kindred spirits because they both rise to the top during the toughest of times. Nana is a feisty old lady with a big whooping stick and she demonstrates the ability of human kind to adapt to the most unforgiving of terrains.

As with the first one, the voices all add a definitive quality to the production and the characters are rendered with great care and affection. The addition of Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin and Sherri Shepherd round out the color and variations created in the first film. Chris Rock is still flying high giving a dose of pure adrenaline to his character and his work here reverberates throughout the picture. As with the first one Sacha Baron Cohen is explosive and unpredictable providing the voice of one of the more infectious animated characters of recent vintage.

Overall, this film jacks up the tempo of the first one and provides for a more engaging and thoughtful journey of self discovery. The characters are all vivid and their individual stories are fascinating and riveting. There are all kinds of messages in this film ranging from the importance of sacrifice to the necessity of individual freedom in the face of the annihilating tyranny of group think. Ultimately, it’s a satisfying film with enough depth to challenge the imagination of film goers and enough fun and excitement to keep the children wildly entertained up to their ears.