My Review of Merry Madagascar · 7:49pm Dec 8th, 2021
Grading Scale:
A (fantastic episode)
A- (an excellent episode with at least one flaw)
B+ (a great episode with a couple of flaws)
B (a good episode which still could have been better)
B- (a good episode with numerous flaws but still rewatchable)
C+ (a decent episode)
C (eh... it’s not terrible but not good either)
C- (it’s not worth rewatching although it does have good elements)
D+ (a bad episode with a few good things in it)
D (a really bad episode with wasted potential)
D- (a terrible episode with badly written characters and butchered moral)
F (horrible and unwatchable)
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! This is Mr. J with another Christmas special review for today! This afternoon, I will be reviewing the holiday spinoff special from the Madagascar series entitled: Merry Madagascar. I remember watching this special a long time ago back in New York as a kid. After watching the first and second films at the time, I found myself enjoying this special the same way I did for the first two films. As I am now looking back at it, I remember how profoundly entertaining this special was. Even to this day, I still love it.
Taking place after the events of the first movie, Alex and company try to set sail for New York City while speaking of all the things they want for Christmas. However, a mysterious entity descends upon them and the other animals in a bright red flame. Thinking it was an alien monster, Alex shot down the intruder until he and his friends discover that the “monster” was none other than Santa Clause himself. Even worse, Santa got amnesia from the hit and forgets who he is. It is now up to Alex to fix his grave mistake and help deliver all the presents to every part of the world with his friends by his side.
I must say that this story was quite intriguing. In fact, I like the fact that the main characters had to fill in Santa’s role in bringing joy to the world although it was challenging for them at first. Additionally, I thought it was amazing that they flew to NYC in Santa’s sleigh which was a partial fulfillment of Alex’s wish of what he wanted for Christmas. He even had the chance to get back there but decided against it, thinking that next time they’ll get back home. That’s one of my favorite moments in this special.
The animation is great, and the original voice cast for our characters were still top-notch.
Although the humor was pretty good, the only thing I didn’t like was the out-of-nowhere romance between Private and Cupid. I thought it was cringe-worthy, weird, and forced. I mean, I could not stand those moments especially since we never see the same reindeer again. Good thing it was just a one-shot.
Other than that, it was a pretty awesome special with great humor, character growth, and an interesting storyline. Also, I still enjoyed King Julien in this for his wacky sense of humor and silly dialogue. Somebody tell him what a naughty list actually is! Anyway, this gets an A-!
Peace!
I have a question:
What are your thoughts on Danny Jacobs’s frequent fill-in performances for Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien?
Flying penguins.
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I like Danny Jacobs’s Julien voice better.
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Yay. I enjoy Jacobs’s portrayals as the character too.
Personally, I also like Cohen’s work as the character to where I can’t help but wish he’d reprise the role more, but Jacobs is definitely awesome in the role too.