Trailer Link

Release Date:

November 26, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “In the Penguins of Madagascar, audiences will discover the secrets of the most entertainingly mysterious birds in the global espionage game. Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private now must join forces with the chic spy organization, the North Wind, led by Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then… you know) to stop the cunning villain Dr. Octavius Brine from taking over the world.”

Poster: B- / B / C+ (4) / B- / C+ / B-

Review: (#1) I’m sure there’s a subversive meaning to this poster, but it’s not something that’s leaping out at me at present. The black-and-white stripes complement our penguin protagonists, but there isn’t much else there.

(#7 & #9) These are variants on the theme of the original making them neither better nor worse. (#2) An action poster that highlights a scene from the film. It’s more visually bold than the other designs, but not by much. (#3-#6) The standard character posters are mildly cute, but not different enough from the primary design to be exciting. (#8) This would fit better with the original films from which this one spins off, but that may help the audience better identify with the characters and thus increase attendance (not that everyone doesn’t already know what film franchise these guys are associated with).

Trailer: B+

Review: Who needs a plot when you have humor. While the Ice Age films kept using the same lame prehistoric rodent to sell their films, a rodent that wasn’t that interesting in the grand scheme of things, the Madagscar films had help from some genuinely appealing critters. Now they have their own movie and as long as it’s fun like this trailer, it should be a success.

Oscar Prospects:

It could be a contender for a Best Animated Feature nomination, but it won’t win.

Revisions:

(July 27, 2014) Original
(November 23, 2014) New Posters (#2-#9)

Additional Posters

Poster #2Poster #3Poster #4

Poster #5Poster #6Poster #7

Poster #8Poster #9