Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Review

Educational value: Not an issue

Messages: Lessons in being loyal to your friends dominate the plot. There's some crude/potty humor along the way (spitting, nose picking, etc.).

Role models: Four friends drift apart after crash landing in Africa and must face -- and accept -- their own weaknesses. There are some challenging moments, as when Alex can't tell the difference between Marty and other zebras, but in the end, the characters do seem to find peace within themselves and in turn be better friends to others.

Violence and scariness: A few scenes may be a little disturbing for younger kids. There's a jarring plane crash that puts characters in peril, but no one is seriously hurt. An old lady gets into a physical fight with a lion, and the lion has no compunctions about hitting her back (both take some hard hits but come out OK). The same woman fights with other lions later. Guns are trained on animals, and there's a power struggle between two leaders on the savannah. A lion rite of passage involves a fight for dominance. Animals, including a main character, are shown in what are called "dying holes" when they are sick. One main character almost ends up in a volcanoful of hot lava (and another minor one eventually takes the plunge). A young Alex is separated from his father against his will in a scene that could be upsetting for some kids.

Sexy stuff: A hippo flirts strongly with another hippo, who tells her several times how much he likes her body. Some additional mild romance.

Language: "Stupid" and "butt" are as salty as it gets.

Consumerism: Mentions of an iPod and the New York Zoo, as well as references to being famous and catering to one's audience. And, of course, the movie itself is tied into a lot of merchandise and other marketing initiatives.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue