Everything You Need To Know About Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa …As It Relates To You And Your World The Actors, Director, Info, Reviews, and Photos

Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane - sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just enough to make it to the wildest place of all - the vast plains of Africa itself - where our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

BEN STILLER (Alex) BEN STILLER (Alex) An actor, director, producer and writer A supporter of several charities including Declare Yourself, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

CHRIS ROCK (Marty) CHRIS ROCK (Marty) Rock broke the Guinness World Record for the largest audience ever at a comedy show in the UK Influenced by the performing style of preacher grandfather, Allen Rock Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

JADA PINKETT SMITH (Gloria) JADA PINKETT SMITH (Gloria) Married to actor Will Smith since 1997, and has two children with Smith, Jaden and Willow Smith Co-founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, a charity organization which has donated funds to various charities Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

ERIC DARNELL (right) (Director / Screenplay) wrote and directed the 2005 Madagascar. He also directed Antz TOM MCGRATH (left) (Director / Screenplay / Skipper) over 18 years in the field of entertainment. Made directorial debut with Madagascar (also served as writer). He voices the lead penguin, Skipper Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

(L to R) Directors ERIC DARNELL and TOM McGRATH; producers MARK SWIFT and MIREILLE SORIA Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

Bernie Mac's last animated feature The sequel Madagascar 3 (2011) was confirmed months before this one came out In 2005, Madagascar scored big with more than half- a-billion at the worldwide box office, making it the top family comedy of that year Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

All the characters are back – Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, and Maurice and the penguins Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane - sort of. Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just enough to make it to the wildest place of all - the vast plains of Africa itself. Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

In Africa our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly realize the difference between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa. Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a "crack-a- lackin" great place... but is it better than their Central Park home? Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

GENERALLY POSITIVE Consensus voice: "The film, like its predecessor, is aimed mostly at children and should score a direct hit. --Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

Director / Screenplay Tom McGrath: Audiences should find themselves in situations that they can identify with… parental issues, identity issues, love. I mean, we still want people to laughthats our main goalbut we also want to move them a little. Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce

REALITY AND CHANGE A good life goal is: Connect to the world surrounding you, and bring positive change to it. This goal is played out very humorously in this film by those loveable characters. (1) Stranded in Africa, they connect, and discover new friends and their roots. (2) They decide to move forward in the light of their new realizations. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecc. 9:10a NLT) Excellent God-stuff here! Review © David Bruce

This is our purpose: to make as meaningful as possible this life that has been bestowed upon us; to live in such a way that we may be proud of ourselves; to act in such a way that some part of us lives on. --Oswald Spengler, historian and philosopher Photos © 2008 DreamWorks Animation. Review © David Bruce