If you’re looking for a family film for this festive season, then look no further. The Penguins of Madagascar are here to entertain the whole family.
Accompanied to the cinema with a 50-year-old (sorry to reveal that Mum!) and my 6-year-old niece – I knew it would be hard to impress us all. But these four cheeky and charming penguins managed it.
The film comes after a long line of successful Madagascar movies. The franchise has done well, and the penguins make sure they carry on this tradition with plenty of slapstick humour to keep us laughing along. In the first 15 minutes the audience are treated to a gondola race through Venice, an exploding boat and a rescue mission led by a polar bear, an owl and a wolf. I knew then I wouldn’t be leaving disappointed.
Let me reassure everyone, you can see this movie without having seen any of the previous Madagascar prequels. The opening sequence conveniently starts in the past when the three penguins – the leader (Tom McGrath), the brains Kowalski (Chris Miller), and Rico (Conrad Vernon) – come together to save baby penguin Private (Christopher Knights). The whole audience is led nicely into the special relationship between this pack of penguins – and then the action really begins.
In this explosive family flick, the Penguins are soon set on an adventure to save other penguins from across the globe from a scorned Octopus. He’s fed up with always being second best at the zoo, as the penguins attract all the attention from the crowds.
My only criticism is that, having seen the previous Madagascar movies, I did feel at times I missed some of the old characters. Their new gang of friends helping them to ‘save the day’ lacked the charm I might have expected. Oh, and perhaps a few more jokes slipped in for the adults would have been nice too.
Overall, the movie is heart-warming, laugh out loud funny at times, and will keep you hooked until the end.
Watch Penguins of Madagascar at Showcase Cinema, Peterborough with all the family. Visit www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for the latest up-to-date show times, and whilst you’re there – why not pick up a gift card? You can buy a £100 gift card for £75, a £60 card for £45 or a £50 for £40, which can be used towards all films and concessions. This offers runs until December 24.
Mikey Clarke
Genres: Comedy &Animation
Cast (Voices): Benedict Cumberbatch, John DiMaggio, Nicole Sullivan & Tom McGrath
Running Time: 92mins
Directed by: J.P. Simon & Simon J. Smith
See it if you liked: Madagascar & Rio
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