MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED

 year: 2012 voices: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jessica Chastain rating: **1/2

Starts with our beloved zoo animals stuck in the purgatory that is Madagascar – but the penguins aren’t having it. They take off to gamble in Monte Carlo, leaving behind the Lion, Zebra, Hippo, Giraffe: all bored silly.

Not even a handmade rendition of their hometown New York City will quench the tedious doldrums. They’re even more homesick, prompting the idea to somehow get back home!

So they decide to travel to find the penguins, providing the best scenes. The animals don’t exactly fit within the civilized world, and a chase from Monte Carlo through the streets of France, tailed by the evil cop Chantel DuBois (a modern Cruella De Vil), is fast paced and suspenseful.

So when our heroes find safe harbor in a train full of circus performers, including a bitter has-been daredevil Tiger and a sexy jaguar (Jessica Chastain with a French accent), things come together and fall part at the same time.

Although it’s fun seeing the non-professionals trying their best in the circus – and then retraining for a second attempt – there’s too much brooding downtime. A sporadic love story between the Lemur and a giant bear is not only gross but just isn’t funny. And everyman Ben Stiller, in providing the underdog Lion’s voice, sounds too much like himself – remember when professional voice-actors became the characters instead of the other way around?

Despite the flaws it’s a wonderful looking journey, but that’s only when things are moving. Most important, with all the vibrant colors surrounding the herd of familiar faces, your kids will be satisfied.