MADLY MADAGASCAR

2013, DreamWorks Animation

Animation

Rating: unrated (G)

Approx. 21 mins.

THE STORY:

It's Valentine's Day for the savannah dwelling Madagascar crowd and this causes anxiety in everyone. Alex (Ben Stiller) misses the mountains of cards he used to get from admirers back at the zoo. Marty (Chris Rock) has fallen for an okapi who won't give him the time of day. Skipper the penguin (Tom McGrath) has lost his bobble-head wife to another doll and is desperate to win her back. Melman (David Schwimmer) and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) are plagued by misunderstanding and miscommunication as they try to celebrate their first Valentine's Day as a couple.

King Julien (Danny Jacobs, not Sacha Baron Cohen) is, as usual, immune to the slings and arrows the others face. He has discovered a love potion which he sells to unrequited Marty. Marty seriously regrets this, however, when it works a little too well. Marty learns to appreciate those who do love him, Alex learns that it's who not how many love you that matters, Gloria and Melman communicate, Skipper wins back his bobble bride. King Julien ends up naked and drenched in love potion. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• stupid

VIOLENCE:

• none

TEACHING POINTS:

• It's important to appreciate people as well as to let them know they are appreciated 

THE UPSHOT:

If you like the Madagascar movies, you will probably like this. Obviously, it's not as developed or nuanced as the feature-lengths, but it's funny and has a positive message: it's not how many people love you, but who loves you that matters. 

I've done worse things with 21 minutes of my life than watch this.

4/5