Madagascar 3

Now, I've watched the first Madagascar and thought that while it was sweet, it was just another happy kids show with a fairly predictable plot. I went to this movie expecting something similar (or typically worse considering that it's a sequel) and came out of it pleasantly surprised. Mad 3 was a visual feast, perhaps epilepsy inducing in parts, but overall highly enjoyable. The movie shows a high level of visual polish combined with a predictable but uplifting plot that manages to alternate between joy and sorrow while ending on a sweet note. I guess I've become somewhat jaded over time and no longer find such tales tugging at my heart strings anymore, but I do recognize a reasonably good narrative when I see one and the references to other animated films (think Up! and such) makes it worth a watch. Sadly, as much as I liked this film relative to the first, it is not quite in the league of the likes of How To Train Your Dragon. Perhaps Brave would fill that gap in my heart. Regardless, I would happily assign this one a 7.5/10.