--- title: "Madagascar: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/madagascar/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/madagascar" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 10 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 (2005): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 10 reviews: 1 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative. 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 — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/madagascar/4023251.article) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be accessed, so the critic's verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be verified from the supplied text. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/madagascar-2005) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2.5/4. 24 May 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/madagascar/) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/madagascar-review/) ## Radio Times — Gareth Moses Rating 3/5. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-425n8y/madagascar/) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Rating C. 9 December 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/dec/09/dvdreviews) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/02/movies/on-madagascar-hollywood-like-evolution-itself-barely-registers.html) ## Time Out — DA Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/madagascar) ## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a22632/madagascar/) ## Eye for Film — Max Blinkhorn Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2005. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/madagascar-film-review-by-max-blinkhorn) --- © 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.md