MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA
CAROLINE: Thank you for doing your duty and seeing an animated kids’ movie, “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” without me.
RYAN: I know you can’t bear to see this kind of film, but this one is not to be missed. You would have loved it because it’s rich in adult themes and humor. Some kids’ films disappoint me because they’re so juvenile, but this is one of the most adult-inclusive children’s movies I’ve ever seen.
CAROLINE: You’re still not convincing me.
RYAN: I know, but let me tell you some of the highlights. First of all, there are several great musical moments that are really entertaining. It’s almost like a movie musical.
CAROLINE: How were all the celebrity voices?
RYAN: Honestly, I wasn’t even paying attention to the voices. But they all did a great job. It’s Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alec Baldwin and several others. Each animal has its own specific personality and it’s kinda reminiscent of “The Lion King” in its story, what with the animal Pride and Africa and all.
CAROLINE: Didn’t you see it in IMAX?
RYAN: Yes, and it was incredible. There are those moments where you feel like you’re on a roller coaster, or like you’re actually in the movie. And it’s so gargantuan that you actually had to turn your head at certain moments to see what’s happening on different parts of the screen.
CAROLINE: Did the kids in the audience seem to be liking it?
RYAN: They were totally into it. It’s a pretty short movie, and it’s got a really good story that’s very liberal and open-minded. I wish everyone could have seen it before voting yes on Proposition 8 in California. I almost feel like this is a pro-gay marriage film.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ Seriously?
RYAN: Totally. There’s a whole story line about animals from different species getting married, and it talks about how it’s OK to be different and to love someone outside of they the majority of marriages look. I think there were some gay executives behind this movie.
CAROLINE: Gays in Hollywood? Shocking.
RYAN: And I definitely walked out thinking this was one of the better kids’ films I’ve seen recently.
CAROLINE: Bottom line?
RYAN: The animation is great and I loved the story, music and adult humor. I actually laughed out loud at several points. I saw it with my friends Susan and Irina and their daughter, Hannah… and there were moments where Susan and I would be laughing and then looking at Hannah to see if she were laughing too. It’s really one that both kids and parents can enjoy, and it’s definitely one for the big screen.