While taking too much from the "Despicable Me" franchise, "Penguins of Madagascar" is fun, funny and so maniacally paced that viewers will likely feel they got their ticket-price's worth.
But that doesn't excuse the fact that its a mediocre movie.
"Penguins" belongs in the mid-summer dross of quick-release films that count on built in audiences. This is a TV movie that got a release date during the Holiday season when family fare is compelling. This movie will likely result in a TV show (Penguins are cute! is the literal raison d'etre for this movie) but the movie is not worthy of cinematic release.
The story is too, too, familiar, the characters are rote, and the script's best gags are re-cycled. The best use of "Penguins" is to see if your eldest child is capable of riding herd on their sibs for the two hour running time of this film and its trailers. Sit a few rows behind your brood, smile at the familiar gags, then take the family out for ice cream. Chocolate may be the best compensation for sitting through "Penguins of Madagascar."
But that doesn't excuse the fact that its a mediocre movie.
"Penguins" belongs in the mid-summer dross of quick-release films that count on built in audiences. This is a TV movie that got a release date during the Holiday season when family fare is compelling. This movie will likely result in a TV show (Penguins are cute! is the literal raison d'etre for this movie) but the movie is not worthy of cinematic release.
The story is too, too, familiar, the characters are rote, and the script's best gags are re-cycled. The best use of "Penguins" is to see if your eldest child is capable of riding herd on their sibs for the two hour running time of this film and its trailers. Sit a few rows behind your brood, smile at the familiar gags, then take the family out for ice cream. Chocolate may be the best compensation for sitting through "Penguins of Madagascar."