So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 60 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
6 OK for kids 6+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 88
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    It's a kid's Cirque de Soleil, for a lot less money. Read full review

  • 83
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    The story in Madagascar 3 is functional, but the antically civilized spirit is infectious. Read full review

  • 75
    Slant Magazine | Jaime N. Christley

    In spite of its lazy, cookie-cutter screenplay, simple narrative mechanics are only dutifully observed to the extent that they step aside to make way for numerous flights of madness. Read full review

  • 75
    Movieline | Michelle Orange

    Manages to surprise with a charm and wit all its own. Read full review

  • 63
    Boston Globe | Tom Russo

    You can picture the DreamWorks corporate confab: "OK, the kids respond to move-it, move-it repetition - give us something else repetitive, and let's get herding." It wasn't just desperate, it was insulting. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Hardly fresh, but it never stints on energy or vivid colors. Read full review

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter | Todd McCarthy

    Yes, it's a cartoon, but it's conspicuously unmodulated, with the volume set on high and the pacing all but pushed to fast-forward. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle | Amy Biancolli

    Even within the rules of its own peculiar world - a world well stocked with talking savanna denizens and monkey-powered superplanes - the film is completely irrational. Read full review

  • 50
    Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern

    Madagascar 3 is all about exuberant motion, cute characters and gorgeous colors. It aims for the eyes, not the heart. Read full review

  • 20
    New York Daily News | Joe Neumaier

    Madagascar 3 can't upgrade its own shtick, becoming a craven example of a fast-buck, no-fun family film. Read full review

View more reviews for Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+ Entertaining "threequel" has some mild violence, innuendo.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that, like its two predecessors, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is appropriate for virtually the whole family. There's little questionable material here, although some parents may notice a couple of innuendos, some threats and dart-gun attacks, and one almost-curse word ("Bolshevik" is made to sound like "bull---t"). On the plus side, kids might learn a thing or two about the circus and European destinations like Paris, Rome, and Monte Carlo. As always, Madagascar 3 boils down to the central relationship between the four main zoo animals, and, like the others, the third movie makes sure kids know how important it is to have unconditional friends.
  • Families can talk about how the two sets of animals help each other. What do the circus animals teach the Central Park Zoo pals about freedom? How do Alex and his friends make the circus better?
  • How does this installment of the franchise compare to the other two? Which one is your favorite?
  • How have the animals' adventures changed them? Why is the Central Park Zoo no longer the right home for the friends?
The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true1 Educational value: Kids might pick up on some circus terminology, as well as well as familiarize themselves with the movie's locales in France, Monaco, and Rome. They'll also discover that Russians like borscht (although technically it's a Ukrainian dish) and that people go to Monte Carlo to gamble.
  • message true3 Positive messages: Several lessons about loyalty, friendship, what it means to be free, and not allowing past mistakes to get in the way of being bold and trying again.
  • rolemodels true3 Positive role models: All of the animals (except for perhaps those pesky penguins) are positive role models, even with their (usually comic) flaws. They're incredibly dedicated to each other and overcome countless challenges to stay together.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence and scariness: Mostly physical comedy and sight gags with the animals -- particularly King Julien and Sonya. The brawling dogs threaten people. The nefarious Captain Du Bois (who's bent on killing Alex as a trophy) isn't afraid of using her trusted dart gun or single-handedly putting three officers in the hospital. Several characters are hit with the dart tranquilizers, and eventually Captain Du Bois gets her comeuppance.
  • sex false1 Sex: King Julien falls in love with a bear whom he calls his "big hairy beast" and compliments on her fur. They're shown snuggling together, and there are a couple of innuendo-laden jokes that will go over kids' head. Gloria and Melman are together and hug a couple of times, and Alex and Gia flirt and eventually embrace.
  • language false0 Language: Nothing inappropriate, but in one scene Vitaly says that's "BULLshevik" in a way that obviously mirrors how you'd say "bulls--t."   
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: In the movie, a Ducati motorcycle receives a good bit of screen time. Off-screen, there are countless product/licensing tie-ins, from toys to video games to social media efforts.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

3.5

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

Shenanigans successfully deployed. Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

Read more movie reviews at Movies.com

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

Go
5,461 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

Exclusive Features

Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interviews Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer on reprising their characters, Cedric the Entertainer on improving and Martin Short on Canadian jokes "dipped in love."