Madagascar MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: +2

After 10 blissful years living at Central Park Zoo in New York City, Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock) begins to wonder about life beyond the cage in this animated comedy. Although his best friend, Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), tells him that life in the zoo is a paradise compared to life on the outside, Marty is still unconvinced. When his curiosity finally gets the better of him, Marty finds his way out of the cage and into the city. Horrified at Martys escape, Alex, along with Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), goes after him. When they are all finally recaptured, zoo officials decide to send them back into the wild. But the wild is nothing like Marty had imagined. If he and his friends want to survive, they must quickly come to terms with the harsh and predatory realities of life in Madagascar. Other voices are provided by Andy Richter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Cedric the Entertainer.

Though it starts slow, Madagascar is ultimately a fun and funny treat for both adults and children. While the movie challenges the ethics of keeping animals in the zoo, it also rejects the idealism that the wild is a serene and peaceful paradise for animals. At the zoo, for instance, Alex had steaks thrown to him daily. In the wild, however, Alexs predatory instincts kick in when he finds himself hungry, and his best friend looks very much like a thick, juicy steak. Because the film deals with the realities of wildlife and includes some adult humor, it includes sequences and dialogue that may be inappropriate for younger viewers. There are also some crude references to bodily functions and body waste. Yet even with its flaws, Madagascar is a good choice for an entertaining evening with the family.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: DreamWorks