--- title: "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 14 reviews: 8 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics enjoy it, and a fair number call it the best entry in the series. The praise gathers around the animation, with the circus sequences repeatedly picked out as the film’s high point, several reviews describing them as the most accomplished thing the franchise has done. Frances McDormand’s animal-control inspector DuBois is the other recurring pleasure, with more than one critic finding her the funniest presence on screen, and a few credit Noah Baumbach’s script with a dryness the earlier films lacked. The mobster penguins get their customary mention as scene-stealers. The reservations are about pace and substance. Several critics find it frantic to the point of exhaustion, mistaking noise for fun, and note a thin plot and little in the way of character; comparisons with Pixar are made, and not to this film’s advantage. The spread is wide, from The Guardian’s warm admiration to The Hollywood Reporter, the one clear dissenter, which finds the shouting repetitive and most of the material unfunny. Variety also objects to broad cultural stereotyping. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2012. Bradshaw calls it one of the week’s best releases and tremendous entertainment. He praises its colourful energy and the strong script by Eric Darnell and Noah Baumbach. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/18/madagascar-3-europes-most-review) ## Empire — Chris Hewitt Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 May 2009. Hewitt finds the film a gloriously anarchic and very funny surprise, despite occasional comedy detours. He especially praises the jokes and sight gags surrounding the relentlessly inventive animal-control inspector. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/madagascar-3-europe-wanted-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2012. The review finds this the best entry in the series, with its manic energy making it an enjoyable experience. It especially praises the animation, singling out the circus scenes as state of the art. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/madagascar-3-europe-s-most-wanted-cert-pg-93-mins-review-8218088.html) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2012. Festival review. Chang finds the film good-humored, energetic and ambitious, though less inventive than Pixar. He praises its vivid visuals and circus-act climaxes, while noting broad cultural stereotyping and an overused pop song. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/digital/markets-festivals/madagascar-3-europe-s-most-wanted-1117947570/) ## Slant Magazine — Jaime N. Christley Rating 3/4. 5 June 2012. Christley finds the film weak on character and story but entertainingly flamboyant. He praises its spectacular, zany visuals and flights of madness. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted/) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2012. The page identifies this as a review but its text is hidden behind a paywall. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint are therefore unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted/5042163.article) ## Radio Times — Dave Aldridge Rating 3/5. The critic finds this good-looking sequel overly hyperactive, often mistaking frantic action for fun. The mobster penguins are singled out for effortlessly stealing the show. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-lhad70/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted/) ## Time Out — Guy Lodge Rating 3/5. 16 October 2012. Lodge sees this installment as a rare franchise entry that improves on its predecessors. He characterizes the series as a garish, noisy circus. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-2) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 28 September 2012. The critic finds this a zippy, entertaining sequel that puts the franchise back on track, though it is no masterpiece. They praise Frances McDormand’s lively villain and Noah Baumbach’s dry wit. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/madagascar-3-europe-s-most-wanted-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2012. Festival review. McCarthy finds the film colorful and fast-moving but ultimately diminished by its excessive volume and frenetic pacing. He particularly faults the repetitive shouting and largely unfunny material. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-cannes-326596/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 June 2012. The critic says this third entry finally turns the franchise into hilarious, engaging family entertainment. They praise its eye-popping 3D circus sequences and funny character interactions. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/madagascar-3-review-third-time-really-charm-these-animated-animals-43006/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2012. The critic finds the sequel a lively, highly entertaining adventure, though less inventive or emotionally affecting than Pixar’s best. Frances McDormand’s performance as the sinister DuBois is singled out as a highlight. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a430393/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 71/100 (inferred from the text). 8 June 2012. The headline presents the film as entertaining but uneven. It praises its frantic fun while noting that the film is wildly uneven. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-is-surprisingly-satisfying-and-frantically-fun-if-wildly-uneven-20120608/) ## Den of Geek — Ron Hogan Rating 3/5. 11 June 2012. Hogan finds it a good, fast-paced summer diversion, though far from brilliant and held back by a thin plot. He praises the colorful 3D circus sequence and the film’s sharp dialogue and constant entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/madagascar-3-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted.md