Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

For an animated sequel it's about as good as you could ask for. The strong cast is all back from the original "Madagascar" and the top-notch computer animation is super sharp. The former Central Park Zoo inhabitants Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria--along with King Julien, Maurice, and the penguins--have been stranded in Madagascar and attempt to escape to Africa. The penguins have been enlisted to repair a questionable aircraft for the journey. They end up in an African preserve were Alex (Stiller) is reunited with his father (Mac) and mother (Shepherd). Other plots involve a romantic triangle between a giraffe (Schwimmer) and a couple of hippos (Smith and will.i.am). Baron Cohens's King Julien the Lemur serves up some of the best laughs and may make the whole thing worth sitting through with the kids who will fully appreciate the sophomoric gag fest.