Madagascar **1/2
Cast (voices): Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Running Length: 1:25
MPAA Classification: PG

Alex the Lion (Stiller) is the star of the Central Park Zoo. He lives a movie star type of life. His friend, Marty the Zebra (Rock) just wants to leave. He dreams of a life in the wild. One day, Marty manages to escape, and Alex goes after him to stop him from doing something stupid. Withe the help of Melman the giraffe (Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Smith) he catches up to Marty, only to be captured by the zookeepers. Deeped too dangerous, they are sent to an animal preserve in Kenya..

On the way, the penguins hijack the boat and divert to Antarctica, and drop the foursome off in Madagascar. They befriend some lemurs and must adjust to life in the wild. A task made all the more difficult by Alex's lack of daily feedings. His wilder side starts to emerge, and his friends may have some troubles ahead of them.

"Madagascar" is the latest in what now seems like an endless stream of computer animated movies. Despite all the start providing voices, it falls a bit short of expectations. There are laughs , but they don't come as readily as more recent childrens' fare. While not a bad movie, "Madagascar" could have been better. Wait for DVD and see for yourself.