Madagascar

Name: Madagascar
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Family
Released: May 27, 2005
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 347 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 347 Ratings

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Madagascar

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: May 27, 2005 | PG

Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith

Summary: When a group of animals from New York's Central Park Zoo wash ashore on the exotic island of Madagascar, they must figure out how to survive in the wild and discover the true meaning of the phrase "It's a jungle out there." [DreamWorks]

Director: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath

Genre(s): Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 86 min

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Dishes up some very corny jokes, but the images have a brighter-than-life vivacity. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Despite Madagascar's formulaic tendencies, it's a formula that works, so parents are urged to sit back, relax and enjoy -- the kids surely will. Read full review

Premiere Peter Debruge

It's a brisk and lively getaway with genuine personality. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

Spirited, amiable, featherweight summer fun. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

It's frustrating to see this wonderful-looking, laugh-out-loud funny survival tale fall short of its potential. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

The plot really is basic, so the bafflement of the movie lies in its combination of visual riches and dramatic -- as well as thematic -- impoverishment.

David Sterritt

The animation is deft but the screenplay is stilted, the voice-performances are unimaginative, and the whole project is surprisingly clumsy in its efforts to please young and old alike. A major disappointment. Read full review

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User Reviews

RamiW.

Jun 3, 2006

the lemurs are so funny i cracked up laughing and dancing about that song so everybody stop giving this movie a low score and MOVE IT!

2 of 2 users found this helpful

TRANSFORMERSFAN

Mar 11, 2021

this movie is one of the best movies of 2005 next to star wars revenge of the sith!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

neehawgamer

Sep 14, 2018

It's not perfect, for sure, but I think it was well made and deserves a much better score.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

aadityamudhar

Apr 19, 2016

The penguins were hilarious. The lemur king was also amusing, and so was Melman the the giraffe. It was, however packed with corny jokes and some of the sub-plots dragged on a bit. I won't be seeing the sequel if their is one.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DestroyAllHuman

Aug 1, 2022

An iconic movie that started a huge franchise, despite the nostalgia the movie starts strong but it gets weaker as it goes on. And by the end you just want it to wrap up. There are also some really weird parts which I did not remember...

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jacob

Sep 13, 2013

Do not get me wrong I do not hate Madagascar but this film could have been a lot funnier and/or a lot more heartwarming. Look at the first two Shrek movies, those movies were funny and had a lot of heart. In Madagascar you see a film that is trying to recreate what worked so well in thatDo not get me wrong I do not hate Madagascar but this film could have been a lot funnier and/or a lot more heartwarming. Look at the first two Shrek movies, those movies were funny and had a lot of heart. In Madagascar you see a film that is trying to recreate what worked so well in that movie and in some cases succeed but in some cases fall flat on its face. You have a really entertaining beginning with some good laughs and an equally entertaining finale. However, in the middle the good jokes are few and far between and it becomes hard to care for the main characters due to the excessive amount of time devoted to arguing rather than advancing the plot and/or coming up with jokes. Plus, the only really funny characters are barely in the movie. However, I doubt most people especially kids will mind. If you are a child you will probably enjoy this film like I did when I was a kid. Adults may/may not get thorugh this film ok but it is watchable. While I do not think it is as good as Shrek I do not think it is bad. Enough of the jokes work, there is some heart, and the side characters are pretty funny. If you are looking for a couple laughs this film will satisfy. However, if you are looking for that really funny and/or heartwarming film like Shrek you will not find it here. This film is not the next Shrek. Instead we have a decent film with a few good laughs and amusing side characters that is a rent. Second act of this film really brings it down but some good laughs in the first and third acts make it watchable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AlisonR.

Jan 1, 2006

Insufferable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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45	#45 Most Discussed Movie of 2005
52	#52 Most Shared Movie of 2005