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Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sequel is fun but doesn't break any new ground.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, friendship
updated 10.08.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Lessons in being loyal to your friends dominate the plot. There's some crude/potty humor along the way (spitting, nose picking, etc.).
  • Role models:

    Four friends drift apart after crash landing in Africa and must face -- and accept -- their own weaknesses. There are some challenging moments, as when Alex can't tell the difference between Marty and other zebras, but in the end, the characters do seem to find peace within themselves and in turn be better friends to others.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A few scenes may be a little disturbing for younger kids. There's a jarring plane crash that puts characters in peril, but no one is seriously hurt. An old lady gets into a physical fight with a lion, and the lion has no compunctions about hitting her back (both take some hard hits but come out OK). The same woman fights with other lions later. Guns are trained on animals, and there's a power struggle between two leaders on the savannah. A lion rite of passage involves a fight for dominance. Animals, including a main character, are shown in what are called "dying holes" when they are sick. One main character almost ends up in a volcanoful of hot lava (and another minor one eventually takes the plunge). A young Alex is separated from his father against his will in a scene that could be upsetting for some kids.
  • Sexy stuff:

    A hippo flirts strongly with another hippo, who tells her several times how much he likes her body. Some additional mild romance.
  • Language:

    "Stupid" and "butt" are as salty as it gets.
  • Consumerism:

    Mentions of an iPod and the New York Zoo, as well as references to being famous and catering to one's audience. And, of course, the movie itself is tied into a lot of merchandise and other marketing initiatives.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

Parents need to know that this sequel to the popular animated movie Madagascar will likely please all ages. But there are some mild sexual allusions (Gloria the hippo flirts with a brawny male hippo who likes her figure and isn't shy about saying so) and cartoonish violence (sequences include a plane crash, a handbag-packing grandma, and hunters wielding guns). There's also come crude/potty humor to watch out for, and an upsetting scene early on in which a young Alex is separated from his father against his will.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the film's portrayals of friendships and how friends can deal with their companions' different personalities.
  • Families can also discuss the film's use of clichés and stereotypes as jokes.
  • Also, ask kids what they think about Alex's dilemma, especially when he realizes he's not like the other lions who grew up with a pride. What do you think of how he handles the situation?
  • And what of Melman and Gloria and Marty's plight after finding themselves in the savannah? How does their adventure tear them apart and -- more importantly -- bring them together?
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More on Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

What’s the Story?

The superstars of the New York Zoo -- Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) -- are finally headed home. Or so it seems. Instead, their sketchy Air Penguin plane crashes, landing them in the African savannah. But not just any savannah: It turns out to be Alex's former stomping grounds, where he roamed as a cub until poachers snagged him while his father was fending off an attack from deceitfully ambitious foe Makunga (Alec Baldwin). Alex's father's people embrace his arrival -- until Makunga manages to get him banished. Meanwhile, Marty wrestles with insecurity when he realizes that other zebras are a lot like him, Melman must contain his jealousy over Gloria's growing interest in male hippos, and how are they ever going to find their way back home?

Is It Any Good?

Cheerful and entertaining, if a mite predictable, MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA won't disappoint fans of the original. All of the endearing mainstays are back, including the beloved band of devious, mechanically inclined penguins. The movie is also blessed with the same catchy theme song -- "I Like to Move It" -- as the first, and it's guaranteed to leave visions of lemurs and lions dancing in audiences' heads for weeks.

The movie's jokes mostly make the cut (though Sacha Baron Cohen's preening as Julien the lemur may tire grownups after a while, if not kids) -- but though it's better than many originals, it doesn't quite qualify as a classic, if only because the story doesn't offer any real surprises. (Even the mean handbag lady makes an expected appearance.) Nevertheless, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa provides the sweet escape you long for when you go to the movies.

Movie Details

Studio: Dreamworks Animation, Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/8/2008, DVD release: 2/6/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild crude humor

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Its Said What The Hell-o Yall Miss so much stuff but i still like it

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    it is good for all ages 6+

    i think this movie is great i saw it many times it has a lot of comedy for kids i think it gives a good message that freinds and family is important

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    it is good for all ages 6+

    i think this movie is great i saw it many times it has a lot of comedy for kids i think it gives a good message that freinds and family is important

  4. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I was bored throughout

    This movie isn't nearly as good as the first Madagascar. The first was really well written and smart, and this one dragged on way too long. I had many expectations, and it wasn't that great. Now, there's a bit of violence and hurt, sexual innuedos here and there, a few 'bad' words, but messages and role models in some characters are ok.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 2.0

  6. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    Kid's Movie? Give me a Break!

    It's so dissapointing when hollywood puts disturbing adult jokes in a cartoon! Don't watch this movie at all. It is brimming with adult humor from the time it starts to the last scene. Profanities include openly gay moneys, hippos who value each other only for their bodies, shallowness in friendship, weak male-characteration, and ect. What a waste! It is a really disturbing movie- don't waste your time!

  7. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism

    Great fun for the Adult - not good choice for little people

    Running over old lady??? very bad! Fight with nipple pinching!!! errr Not a kids movie !!!!!!!!! what is up with the people who rate this movie for little kids??? they want to have demented children....errrrrrr

  8. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Better and a little funnier than the first!!!

    This movie is a sequel to the first Madagascar movie. It is better and funnier than the first. The violence is comic, and there is some mild flirting and there is no bad language . I would recommend this film to any kid who is at the the age of 5+. I would also recommend this film to anyone who loved the first film or to anyone who is a fan of this cast.

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    good for 11+ and not any youngar

    I dident see it but i want to. but gloria [ the hippo] sholdet hevely flirt. so 11+ is what i say

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    i didnt see it yet but it seems good i meant he first one was great.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Funny movie! Better than the first.

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I like it

    This movie was awesome!!!!!

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    Madagascar escape 2 theaters.

    Madagascar is actually an enjoyable animated film that isn't Pixar a lot of kids and adults will enjoy.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Beware-More content

    Edgier Than the first

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism

    better then the 1st

    tied for best movie ever violence yes sex iffy language no money yes drugs no message no the old lady shoots at the plane and brakes the dolls head which was really funny but could frightin the one where he gets separted can be frighting

  16. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    i like the first one beter but it's really good movie

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Too much emphasis on the hippo romance. Too much violence by and toward Granny.

  18. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 3.0

    Madagascar Escape 2 Boring

    The movie is a great family and comedy pick. It is NOT the best kids movie I ever saw, and since I am a kid, this is what I think. It is fine for anybody. It is just not that good of a movie overall.

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title off for age 5 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Not appropriate it for Kindergarteners.

    I felt they gave too much attention to the hippo dating scenes. Also, some of things King Julius says do not need to be in a kids movie, they repeat but don't understand the lines. Couldn't they of laid off with the Granny and just left her out of this one. My son was asking why the penguins are stronger than the Granny.

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Its good for older kids say, 8 and up. The scene where the penguins steal the jeep and throw the old woman THROUGH the WINDSHIELD and then Private asks "Is she dead?" and Skipper says "No" and runs her over(She is okay though)again is funny for me and adults and older kids, But it's violent and bad for younger kids. It is okay for over the age of 8 though.

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