Critics’ reviews

Madagascar (2005)

10 reviews from 10 publications. Critics’ score 55: 1 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative.

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55
Positive
1
Mixed
7
Negative
2

Most critics find Madagascar serviceable family entertainment, with more enthusiasm for its animation and supporting animals than for its story. Praise centres on the bright, angular look, visual inventiveness and lively early scenes in New York. The penguins and lemurs repeatedly emerge as comic assets, while several reviews suggest children are better served than adults looking for sharper humour. Screen Daily is more warmly disposed, finding enough amusement for parents alongside the slapstick aimed at children.

Reservations cluster around a premise that promises more than the film delivers, muddled plotting and momentum that falters as it goes along. The humour divides critics: some enjoy the mishaps and musical moments, while others find the jokes tired or insufficiently distinctive. Most verdicts sit in mixed territory, though the harsher responses expose a meaningful spread. Eye for Film particularly faults the lead characters, finding relief chiefly in the animation and the lemurs.

Screen Daily
23 May 2005 · John Hazelton
70*

Hazelton finds the film entertaining for children and amusing enough for parents. He singles out its eye-catching look, drawing on Tex Avery slapstick and Henri Rousseau-inspired imagery.

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RogerEbert.com
64*

The page could not be accessed, so the critic's verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text.

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Slant Magazine
24 May 2005 · ★★½/4 · Nick Schager
62

Schager finds the film a modest improvement over earlier DreamWorks animation but says it lacks Pixar’s blend of humor and poignancy. He praises its bright, angular aesthetic and lively depiction of New York City.

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Empire
1 January 2000 · William Thomas
60*

Thomas finds the film amiable and spirited but says it falls short of its premise and the standard set by Shrek. He praises its visual inventiveness, musical moments and memorable penguins, while faulting its slapstick and stalled storytelling.

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Radio Times
★★★ · Gareth Moses
60

The critic calls it serviceable family entertainment, though not on a par with Shrek. They praise its engaging mishaps but say the pace drags in the final third.

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The Guardian
9 December 2005 · C · Rob Mackie
57

Mackie finds the film colourful and enjoyable but muddled and not especially memorable. He praises the early zoo scenes and the imaginative effects of a tranquilliser dart, while criticizing the convoluted plot and a tired parody.

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The New York Times
2 June 2005 · A. O. Scott
45*

The review gives a mixed-to-negative verdict, finding the film less lively than its premise promises. It singles out its lack of distinctive humor compared with other animated comedies.

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Time Out
11 July 2005 · DA
30*

The review appears critical, suggesting the promising concept does not work in execution. It singles out the computer-generated setting and character concept, though the full review is unavailable.

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Digital Spy
17 July 2005 · Daniel Saney
60*

The critic finds it lightweight family fun that entertains children but may disappoint adults expecting sharper humour. They praise the impressive animation and single out the penguins and lemurs as especially enjoyable.

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Eye for Film
15 July 2005 · Max Blinkhorn
35*

The critic finds the film uneven and poorly served by its lead characters. They praise the animation and single out the lemurs and their comic antics as its saving graces.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate