>> Madagascar
You've seen Shrek, you've chuckled at Shark Tale, now it's time to be dazzled by Sh…Madagascar. Dreamworks' brand of computer-animated comedy is set to hit the silver screen once again, with big names and comic capers a plenty.
Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) wasn't born to be wild. He was born to be the principal attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo and he's quite happy with life that way. Why would he hear the call of the wild when a tame lifestyle is so comfortable?
The king of the urban jungle and his best pals Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) enjoy a blissful existence: they are lavished with attention, the food is fantastic and the view from their enclosures second to none. What more could they ask for?
It's Marty who's anxious to glimpse the world beyond the fence. Finally, his curiosity gets the better of him. With the aid of some phenomenally skilled penguins, he escapes with the intention of returning before morning. Alex, Melman and Gloria discover Marty is missing and decide to break out of their comfortable abode and bring their friend home before anyone notices they're gone.
New York might be a cosmopolitan city but the sight of a lion, giraffe and hippopotamus exploring the streets of downtown Manhattan and catching the subway raises a few eyebrows.
On tracking Marty down at Grand Central Station, they think their adventure is over. But they think wrong. Some crusading humans are hot on their heels, determined to set them free from the stress of city life and relieve them of the burden of their cushy zoo lifestyle. The friends are darted, captured, crated and put on a ship bound for Africa before they can say 'Madagascar'.
It is on this exotic island that they find themselves after those pesky penguins sabotage the ship. Washed ashore on the golden sands, our city-dwelling foursome must learn to survive in the jungle - it's like a bunch of townies hitting the outer reaches of Cornwall.
Survival is a mere possibility, a struggle a likelihood and many a humorous exploit certain. It really is a jungle out there.
Beccy Matthews
Director Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith