Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, also known as Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, is a 2008 American animated adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG and PDI/DreamWorks. The film is the second installment in the Madagascar film series.
Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, the movie was written by Etan Cohen, Darnell, and McGrath. Released by Paramount Pictures on November 7, 2008, it garnered generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its characters, humor, and animation, often considering it an improvement over the first film.
The film features the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Elisa Gabrielli, McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, and Conrad Vernon, reprising their roles from the first movie. New cast members include Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, Sherri Shepherd, and will.i.am. Like its predecessor, the film's score was composed by Hans Zimmer.
Plot Summary
The story begins in Kenya, where the alpha lion Zuba tries to teach his son Alakay how to fight, but Alakay is more interested in dancing. A rival lion, Makunga, challenges Zuba for his title. During their fight, Alakay is captured by poachers and put in a crate. Zuba gives chase but is shot in the ear and incapacitated.
Years later, after their adventure in Madagascar, Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria, along with the penguins and chimpanzees, prepare to return to New York aboard a battered airplane piloted by the penguins, accompanied by King Julien, Maurice, and Mort. The plane runs out of fuel and crash-lands in continental Africa.
Read also: Ghana's Chances in Group I
The animals find themselves at a watering hole on a nature reserve and are excited to meet others of their species. Alex is reunited with his parents and impresses them with tales of his status as "the king of New York". Marty fits in with a herd of zebras who look and sound just like him. Melman, a hypochondriac, is distressed that the reserve has no doctors, so the other giraffes appoint him their witch doctor. Seeking romance, Gloria attracts the attention of the smooth-talking hippo Moto Moto.
Meanwhile, the penguins set about repairing the plane, assisted by numerous chimpanzees recruited by Mason and Phil. They steal vehicles from humans on safari and strip them for parts. In a scheme to oust Zuba as alpha lion, Makunga insists that Alex complete a rite of passage, which Alex mistakes for a talent contest. It is actually a fighting contest, and Makunga tricks him into choosing Teetsi, the strongest lion, as his opponent, resulting in Alex's humiliating defeat. Zuba relinquishes his title to Makunga, who banishes Alex.
Marty is dejected by the realization that the other zebras can do everything he can, believing himself no longer unique. Melman believes he is deathly ill and, having secretly loved Gloria for a long time, is saddened by her interest in Moto Moto. The four friends get into a heated argument.
Gloria has a date with Moto Moto but loses interest when she realizes he is only attracted to her because of her size. The next day, the animals panic when the watering hole dries up. Alex mends his friendship with Marty, and they leave the reserve to investigate upriver.
Julien suggests offering a sacrifice to the nearby volcano to restore the water. Melman volunteers to be sacrificed, but Gloria stops him, realizing that he loves her for more than her appearance. Alex and Marty discover that the stranded humans have built a camp and dammed up the river, and Alex is captured by them. Zuba rushes to his aid, but Alex saves them both by dancing for the humans, who remember him fondly from the zoo.
Read also: Ghana vs Madagascar: Head-to-Head Record
Marty, Melman, Gloria, the penguins, and the chimpanzees arrive in the repaired airplane and help Alex destroy the dam, restoring the water. Makunga makes a stand for control, but Alex tricks him into being subdued by Nana, forcing him out of power. Zuba offers Alex the title of alpha lion, but he declines, believing the title belongs to his father.
Cast and Characters
- Ben Stiller as Alex
- Chris Rock as Marty
- David Schwimmer as Melman
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria
- Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien
- Cedric the Entertainer as Maurice
- Andy Richter as Mort
- Bernie Mac as Zuba
- Alec Baldwin as Makunga
- Sherri Shepherd as Momma Elephant
- will.i.am as Moto Moto
- Conrad Vernon as Mason
Critical Reception
Rotten Tomatoes reported that 64% of critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 5.9/10, based on 156 reviews. Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express wrote that the film was "as spunky, witty and funny" as its predecessor, praising the animation and characters but criticizing the story for "[taking] the same course as The Lion King, with a detour towards Shrek thrown in."
Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film 2/4 stars, writing: "Take the flat tire that was Madagascar. Retread it with The Lion King storyline. Pump it up with air."
The Making of 'Escape 2 Africa'
On its opening day, the film grossed $17,555,027 from 4,056 theaters with a $4,328 average. The film's score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who was joined by will.i.am.
Home Media
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on February 6, 2009, by Paramount Home Entertainment, along with two episodes from The Penguins of Madagascar series: "Popcorn Panic" and "Gone in a Flash". In its first week, Madagascar opened at No. 1 on the DVD sales chart.
Read also: Luxury Accommodation: Madagascar
Sequel
A sequel, titled Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, was released on June 8, 2012. Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman are still fighting to get home to New York.
Box Office Performance
The movie had a successful run in theaters. The following table summarizes its performance:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Day Gross | $17,555,027 |
| Theaters | 4,056 |
| Average Gross per Theater | $4,328 |
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
