Mathilde the Guild
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Kimball
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Dana
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
TheLittleSongbird
I enjoyed the Madagascar movies and I love The Penguins of Madagascar, so I naturally wanted to see this festive special. And overall, I enjoyed it very much and even preferred it marginally over the movies. I admit I wasn't keen on the animation of Santa and one or two characters are a little bland, but overall it was very enjoyable, with a nice heart warming story and some very funny writing from especially the Penguins and King Julien(who almost steals the show throughout).The animation is nice, vibrant and colourful and the music is great, I especially liked King Julien's take on Santa Claus is Coming to Town, that was funny. The characters in general are fine, Melman isn't given much to do, same with some of the reindeer, but I loved the Penguins and King Julien and Alex and Gloria were nice to watch. And the voice acting is top notch. Merry Madagascar also moves quickly so it never feels boring. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable and kept me amused constantly. 8/10 Bethany Cox
bob the moo
I watched this short film at Christmas this year along with countless other films and programmes that feel like they have been made because they have to be for the festive season rather than being a case of someone having a great idea and everyone wanting to do it. The plot is simple – calling him the "Red Goblin", King Julian succeeds in shooting down Santa Claus, meaning that the New Yorkers have to leave the island on Santa's sledge and, with the help of the penguins, make sure that all the presents are delivered and that Christmas is saved. Meanwhile, on the island, an amnesiac Santa joins in the annual celebrations of Julianuary – a festive period where everyone gives the King presents.This TV special is quite amusing but it is not as funny or as clever as the recent Penguins spin-off show and part of the problem is the same problem I have with the films. This is that the main characters are actually not that good as characters. OK, they are almost a necessary evil in terms of the narrative but really time spent with them makes you think you're missing out on something better with the other side characters. The global sleigh ride is amusing but seems a bit cloying and obvious and the film is at its best where we are back on the island with King Julian. These sections have their own "message" but Julian is a great character and these bits are well written with his usual selfish self-importance and produces plenty of good laughs (such as the carol singing bit). The Penguins produce a few good laughs as well but their role doesn't give them much to do and I didn't think they worked as well as they have done elsewhere. Likewise Mort can be relied upon for easy laughs.These good bits do well to carry the film while the main animals go around the world – these bits are quite funny but just not as good as the rest. Ironic then that all the stars are back for these main animals while Cohen didn't do Julian. This is not a problem though because, as with the TV show, Jacobs does a very good job of making the character his own and delivering with timing. Overall Merry Madagascar is an enjoyable little festive offering but this is almost despite of itself. It has the feel of something that was a business decision rather than something everyone wanted to do and, while funny, the presence of the four main characters repeats the problem in the films – the strongest material lies with the supporting characters, not the New Yorkers.
pete
So, at first! I think this short is much better than the second part of Madagascar. This Christmas special has a very good mood and super ideas for the story. After Santa crashes, Alex and his co. are the only ones who can save Christmas. But they want also back to New York so they think maybe this could be a good way to find the way back home. Of course with this plan comes a lot of funny and adventure full happenings so we can laugh almost 30 minutes with our good-known crew. The only disappointing is the short running time, it could have been a new movie. Everything was made so well here that I haven't enough after the end! I hope the third part will be like this or better!
demona_3
The brand new holiday adventure stars everyone's favorite Central Park "zoosters" from Madagascar and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Merry Madagascar begins when Santa and his sleigh unexpectedly crash-land on the island, giving the jolly gentleman a case of amnesia. So it falls to Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria -- along with the ever-inventive Penguins -- to deliver the presents and save Christmas. And it doesn't hurt that Santa's Sleigh just might be able to make a little trip to New York City, so they can finally return to their beloved home. But during their appointed rounds, the four re-discover the magic of giving -- and that it is ultimately more important than their own wish to return home. Also included is a long-lasting North Pole/South Pole rivalry between the Penguins and Santa's reindeer, plus magic flying dust and a King Julien-based holiday called "Julienuary."
