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MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED Blu-Ray Review
By: MattInRC
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED is good family fun that's still not as good as it should, but shines in an excellent Blu-ray release.
There's always something wonderfully satisfying about animals that talk. Perhaps this comes from my childhood, when Winnie the Pooh kept me company, or maybe it's the connection we have with our pets that makes us want for them to carry on conversations with us. Disney has made a fortune pulling at these particular heartstrings, bending reality just enough to make us think that our childhood friends, or - in the case of Madagascar - zoo animals could exist in the same world as ours, carrying on complex relationships while sometimes engaging in assorted silly humor for our benefit. Madagascar has enjoyed a particularly successful run, even though it's the weakest of Dreamworks' franchises; its achilles heel lies rooted in both its voice actors, as well as its somewhat flat plots. For those of you who have witnessed the brilliance of The Penguins of Madagascar, you know how funny this franchise can be. For me, Madagascar itself has always lacked in these two areas, but that doesn't make it unwatchable cinema by any account. Yet, with Penguins outshining its partner films every week, it's hard to make a case for Madagascar receiving the attention it does. Still, the franchise has become an adored staple of animation, and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is the series at its most comical and zany, with a Blu-ray release that's the best of the three.
The Movie - 4/5
I'm like a candy cane in a black and white movie. Marty the Zebra (voiced by Chris Rock), Alex the Lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Gloria the Hippo (voiced by Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (voiced by David Schwimmer) are still stuck in Africa and long to return to New York City. The Penguins, led by Skipper (voiced by Director Tom Grath) are way ahead of them, having flown to Monte Carlo to first make a fortune by disguising the chimpanzees Mason and Phil as the King of Versailles before returning to Africa to pick up 'the hippies,' as Skipper refers to Alex and the others. But things go awry when Alex and company appear in Monte Carlo, garnering the attention of the famous French animal control officer Captain Chantel DuBois (voiced by Frances McDormand), whose tenacity has gained her a wall full of the heads of her victims. With all the animals now in play, she begins her dogged pursuit, leading to one of the film's funniest scenes. After their plane crashes near a train depot, Alex and the others are taken in by a less-than-successful traveling circus, which includes a performing tiger with...performance issues (voiced by Bryan Cranston), who doesn't trust Alex's fabricated story about the team being no less than American circus performers on their way back to New York City. As the circus is breathed new life by Alex's trapeze skills, Marty's canon act with Stefano the Sea Lion (voiced by Martin Short), and a newfound love between King Julien (voiced by Sasha Baron Cohen) and a slobbering non-verbal bear, Dubois continues her hunt for them, eventually leading to a final battle in New York. But, can Alex hide his secret long enough so he and the others can conclude their journey, or will the allure of the circus draw our former zoo stars back into the wild?11 M3 would not be what it is without an intense dose of zaniness that perpetuates itself with semi-clever dialog, well-placed gags and a general absurdity that would make even The Muppets proud. Even though it subscribes to the well-worn concepts inherent in animation - that of a challenge asserted, a dramatic fall-off leading to abandonment of one or more characters, and finally the subsequent rise to victory just in time for the end - M3 does so with a flair and cuteness that's appreciated. And even though the military antics of The Penguins always bring a smile to my face, M3's generally flat plot and average voice actors still keep me from laughing out loud as much as I want to. Take 30 minutes to watch Penguins on television and you'll see what I mean. In many ways, that series encapsulates what this franchise could become: the perfect mix of story and comedy, wrapped up in excellent actors who tend to outshine their film counterparts. Jon DiMaggio, James Patrick Stuart, and Danny Jacobs are superior replacements for Rico, Private, and King Julien, who all bring a life to their characters that's honestly been missing from the films. Rock and Schwimmer play pretty funny ends of the animal spectrum, but Stiller's stiff performances always feel like a creative black hole.
Add to that a script by Eric Darnell (M1 & M2) and Noah Baumbach (Fantastic Mr. Fox) that makes for funny scenes but still lacks the creative consistency Darnell has brought to episodes of Penguins, and you have a movie that still hasn't reached its potential. Cranston, Short, and Alex's love interest Gia the Jaguar (voiced by Jessica Chastain) actually outperform some of the veterans, making me hope they will stick around for M4, which Dreamworks is no doubt already planning. How McGrath and the others will give each character their own screen time will be the future challenge, as the Madagascar house is getting quite cramped. Having said all that, M3 is clean fun with an irreverant twist that doesn't try to be anything more than that. One cannot ignore the impressive gains made by the studio in terms of animation, which is as good as anything Pixar or Disney can produce. And although the story disappoints, particularly with DuBois' 'seen that before' bad guy, kids will find M3 very entertaining, and parents won't want to jump off a bridge from too much singing or over-the-top cuteness. In fact, some of the redemption element expressed in Vitaly's storyline represents good teachable moments that parents might consider exploring after the lights come back up.
The Video - 5/5
Deploy banana gun! M3 is presented in a stunning MPEG/AVC transfer that's remarkable in both its scale and depth. If Pixar is the leader in animation and transfers to the home market, Dreamworks cannot be far behind, as this could give Brave a run for its money. Images are sharp and finely detailed, from Alex's fur to Viatily's teeth; but it's also the backgrounds that bring a sense of reality and depth to things, coming alive during the chase scene in France and inside the circus rail cars. Colors are consistently deep, blending into shadows that darken into black with beautiful precision. Watch any of the scenes involving Sonya the Bear to witness a deep set of eyes and fur which looks as realistic as anything I've seen. Outdoor images (such as the training facility sequence) look simply amazing, receiving the full treatment of color and detail. Finally, there's zero edge enhancement, aliasing, haloing, or banding, presenting strong evidence of Dreamworks' growing reputation as a top flight animation studio that recognizes the importance of the home video market. In many ways, M3 is a reference-grade product from start to finish.
The Audio - 5/5
Way to commit, soldier! M3's Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack is as high-flying a presentation as the wire performances of Alex and Gia. Animated films tend to fair better in this category because every bit of audio is controlled in the booth, free of street noise and other issues. Even with this admission, there is a startling amount of precision to this lossless track, which succeeds in every way to immerse us in the worlds of Europe, America, and Africa. Starting with the forward speakers - where most of the big action lies - we are treated to a soundfield that is constantly migrating between channels, but still respecting every effect so as not to drown out the other. The center channel is also vibrant, projecting voices with a simple clarity that doesn't require you to play The Remote Game between action scenes. But it's the work of the surround channels and LFE which provides the best experience, immersing us in a collection of manufactured ambient soundscapes which is enjoyable to the ears. The subwoofer gets a workout here, pounding out the crashes of mopeds and the booms of fireworks at film's end with relative ease. Enjoy this track with the volume tuned up, as M3 is also a resounding experience for the ears.
The Supplements - 5/5
You're Sucky-o Andretti! Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted contains a diverse collection of extras, centering on many aspects of the production. Get Them to the Train (1080p): An interactive game in which players must shoot characters from a cannon and into the train car. The Animators' Corner (1080p): A terrific P-n-P feature in which Directors Tom McGrath, Darnell, and Conrad Vernon guide viewers through a comprehensive behind the scenes presentation in which viewers witness every aspect of the animation process, from storyboarding to Pre-Vis. This feels like a completed documentary, playing throughout the film while providing fascinating insights about every aspect of its production. Watch the film again with this setting and I promise you won't be bored. Trivia Track: An enjoyable pop-up trivia track that shares a facts about the world of Madagascar. Big Top Cast (1080p, 13:38): Several of the main voice cast, as well as Directors McGrath and Darnell, show up to discuss their characters and the positives each bring to the big screen. Deleted Scenes (1080p, 6:18): Directors Darnell, Vernon, and McGrath introduce three pieces - Melman Picks a Circus Act, Next Performance: New York City, and Lion Meet Venom. Mad Music Mash-Up (1080p, 1:00): A short musical montage based on Rock's "Afro Circus" routine. Ringmasters (1080p, 15:27): If you've ever wanted to see one day in the making of a film, check out this highly insightful piece. Madagascar 3 Roundtable (1080p, 3:48): Stiller, Rock, Schwimmer, and Pinkett-Smith sit down to share their memories of the franchise. Filmmakers' Commentary: Darnell, Vernon, and McGrath present a very detailed and enjoyable track that covers almost everything about the film that one would want. Previews (1080p): Other DreamWorks properties are featured, including the M3 video game. Sneak Peek (1080p, 20:23): If you're interested in the live action How to Train your Dragon stage production, you'll appreciate this. Our evaluation copy came with a Blu-ray Combo pack, which includes the DVD and UltraViolet versions of the film. There's no interior artwork, but the non-embossed slipcase is nice enough. We're only aware of one special edition offering, that of a rainbow wig donned by Marty during his "Circus Afro' rap.
The Final Word - 4/5
Zebras can't drive, only penguins and people can drive! With so many returning characters and a few new ones to follow, the world of Madagascar has become quite crowded. That does have a negative effect on Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, whose thin plot is really just a cover for all the highjinks and general tomfoolery that McGarth and team have concocted. While it's an improvement over the previous films, our creative team needs to do more to take this series over the top. The home release is a solid affair, complete with an excellent audio and video transfer, as well as enough supplements to keep fans of 'the hippies' happy. I look forward to seeing future installments, but am honestly planning for a day when the penguins get their own movie. For now, enjoy this fun release and the many supplements it has to offer.
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