Movie review - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

I like to move it! You know you're watching a Madagascar movie when it opens with this song... It was in the first one, it's in this sequel and I bet it will be in the third one (already in the work, for a 2011 release). Actually, make sure you pay attention to the very beginning when you see the boy sitting on the crescent Moon for the first laugh...

I saw Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in it's Imax version. No 3D, but still gorgeous to watch. It still has the same look as the first one and stars the same voices for the main characters; Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer and Andy Richter, as well as new characters from Bernie Mac and Alec Baldwin.

The plot revolves around the fact that our heroes, if they can be called that, wants to go back home, in New York (if you don't understand this, see the first movie, then come back). But due to an airplane's "premature landing", they end up in a totally foreign land called Africa. They soon figure out that this place just might be their real home, from all the animals they meet that just happens to be the same species as they are.

I really liked this movie, which was very funny and a worthy sequel. Being in a different environment helped the story to have lots of new elements, while still bringing back a few familiar ones. The psycho penguins are back for more mischief, of course, as are a couple of lemurs... All the returning main characters can be seen in the trailer, if I remember well.

Unlike the last few movies I reviewed, this one is for the whole family, although it is rated PG for "some mild crude humour", so parents should keep that in mind.

Movie review: Run Fatboy Run

Run Fatboy Run is very funny, but not quite as much as I was hoping for. It does have a serious side to it, dealing with commitment, family and responsibilities, which actually was nice. Still, many "lol" moments.

It is directed by David Schwimmer (from Friends fame) and stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scotty in the upcoming Star Trek movie), Thandie Newton (Mission:Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Mad About You), Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead) and Harish Patel (a whole bunch of Indian movies...).

The title refers to the way Dennis (Pegg) keeps running from his responsibilities but he ends up wanting more in life and running a marathon to prove it, despite the fact that he is not in shape for such a demanding physical activity. Newton plays Libby, his ex-lover, who he left at the alter while she was pregnant with his child. Azaria plays Whit, Libby's new love interest. Dylan plays Gordon, Dennis' best buddy. And Patel is Dennis' landlord and eventually will help Dennis prepare for the marathon, along with Gordon.

Don't go see this movie expecting a Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, although there is absurdity to be seen, but as I wrote above, there's more to it. Good cast, good story and good laughs. I really enjoyed it. It's rated PG and I would not recommend it for younger kids...