--- title: "Penguins of Madagascar: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/penguins-of-madagascar/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/penguins-of-madagascar" critics_score: 55 critics_reviews: 20 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." --- # Penguins of Madagascar (2014): what the critics said Critics' score 55 from 20 reviews: 5 positive, 8 mixed, 7 negative. Most critics agree the jokes arrive faster than anyone can count, and the praise clusters on the voice cast. John Malkovich’s octopus villain is named again and again as the highlight, with Benedict Cumberbatch close behind, and individual gags are picked out, from the opening sequence to a gondola chase through Venice. Even the lukewarm notices concede the penguins steal their scenes and that the wordplay lands often enough to keep children and parents amused. The split is wide. Reservations cluster on story, or the absence of one: the plot is thin, the chases and explosions pile up until they exhaust rather than exhilarate, and the octopus-name puns outstay their welcome. The American trade press is harshest, with Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline all finding it dull or frantic and The Wrap calling it noisy and unfunny. The British papers are warmer, and The Guardian stands furthest out, calling it the best of the series. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2014. Bradshaw calls the film exhilarating, hilarious and the best of the Madagascar series. He particularly praises its supercharged script and abundance of great lines. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/04/penguins-of-madagascar-review) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2014. Ebiri finds the film’s relentless, silly humor successful, despite its loose story and lack of emotional resonance. He singles out its persistent wordplay and throw-everything-at-the-wall comic energy. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/movie-review-penguins-of-madagascar.html) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be read, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be verified. The available page response contains no review text. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/penguins-of-madagascar-2014) ## Screen Daily — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2014. The review's verdict is unavailable because the article body is hidden. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/penguins-of-madagascar/5079895.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2014. The page could not be accessed, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be confirmed. The available page text contains no review content. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/movies/penguins-of-madagascar-with-voice-of-benedict-cumberbatch.html) ## Slant Magazine — Chris Cabin Rating 2.5/4. 24 November 2014. Cabin finds the film an entertaining but fleeting romp, with thin storytelling keeping it only somewhat above average. He praises its plentiful, well-timed jokes and wordplay, especially the gag involving Shanghai and Dublin. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/penguins-of-madagascar/) ## Radio Times — Dave Aldridge Rating 3/5. The visible review text cuts off before its overall verdict is clear; the printed rating is three stars. Aldridge praises the penguins’ scene-stealing appeal and notes that the role stretches John Malkovich’s vocal chords. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a29u6n/penguins-of-madagascar/) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 3/5. 1 December 2014. Clarke gives the spin-off a three-star verdict. She singles out a brilliant opening gag and the instantly recognisable voice of a German director. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/penguins-of-madagascar) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 June 2014. Errigo finds the spin-off average but amusing enough to pass muster. She praises its running gags and adorable octopoid goons, while noting that the action grows tedious and a subplot turns mawkish. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/penguins-madagascar-review/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 7 December 2014. O'Sullivan finds the film short on originality and logic, despite some enjoyable moments. She praises the crisp, colourful animation and especially Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom McGrath's vocal performances. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/penguins-of-madagascar-review-benedict-cumberbatch-is-ace-as-a-patronising-wolfcumsecret-agent-9905317.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2014. Sharkey finds the film’s nonstop puns overwhelm an otherwise promising animated comedy. She praises the penguin characters’ comic appeal and singles out John Malkovich’s lively voice work as the villain. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-penguins-madagascar-review-20141125-column.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2014. The critic finds the film’s manic energy more exhausting than exhilarating, and says the franchise fails to advance. They praise the visual gags but complain that the core characters are not developed enough to make the shtick stick. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/penguins-madagascar-film-review-748219/) ## Variety — Geoff Berkshire Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2014. Berkshire finds the spinoff dull, overly juvenile and lacking the imagination to sustain a feature. He praises Benedict Cumberbatch and John Malkovich for bringing colorful traits and depth to their vocal performances. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-penguins-of-madagascar-1201353894/) ## IndieWire — Charles Solomon Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2014. Solomon finds the film overblown, choppy, and only intermittently funny. He praises a few clever gags but says the relentless chases, explosions, and repeated octopus-name puns wear out their welcome. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-the-penguins-of-madagascar-123819/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 December 2014. The critic is highly positive, calling the film a fast-paced, funny adventure that should entertain children and adults alike. They single out its clever script and relentless excitement, with the pace leaving little room to breathe. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/penguins-of-madagascar-2014-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Digital Spy — Tom Eames Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 December 2014. The critic finds it a successful, funny family comedy caper and a worthy spinoff. They single out its intelligent humor and appeal to both children and adults for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a613946/penguins-of-madagascar-review-mission-impossible-meets-despicable-me/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2014. Pape finds the film exuberantly entertaining, despite its weak narrative structure and limited emotional depth. He especially praises its scattershot humor and playful irreverence. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/penguins-of-madagascar-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film reasonably diverting but not engaging enough for adults. They praise its visually arresting set-pieces and Benedict Cumberbatch’s scene-stealing voice performance. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15828-320973) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 2014. Hammond finds the film unable to take flight despite its frantic pace, though it may work for young audiences. He singles out John Malkovich’s wonderfully voiced evil octopus as a highlight. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2014/11/penguins-of-madagascar-review-dreamworks-animation-1201296947/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2014. The critic dismisses the film as noisy, unfunny, and without a reason to exist. They single out the Venice gondola chase as its one unreservedly delightful scene. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/penguins-of-madagascar-review-benedict-cumberbatch-john-malkovich/) --- © 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/penguins-of-madagascar.md