Die Pinguine aus Madagascar

2015 kicks off with a stupendously silly but mostly amusing animated film that is best enjoyed with easy-to-please toddlers chuckling by your side. After stealing the limelight in the Madagascar trilogy, the awesome foursome get their own adventure, complete with globetrotting hijinks, high-flying acrobatics and extravagant escapes. Filled to the brim with physical comedy and written quips (a string of celebrity themed puns are hilarious), this spin off adheres to the franchise's humour-formula of quantity over quality, but is so light in tone it's hard to begrudge it. The eponymous flightless seabirds – Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private – are as intrepid, idiotic and cuddly as ever, but are arguably better suited to stealing scenes at second fiddle rather than leading from the front for a whole movie. There's an underpinning message – don't underestimate the little guy – that permeates throughout the swift runtime, building up to a stock standard finale that skimps on laughs in favour of a moral payoff. Penguins lacks the adorability of Paddington, the exhilaration of Big Hero 6, or the intelligence of either, yet remains a decent option for families looking to waste a couple of hours during the school break.

Although the film wasn't really needed, it is absolutely brilliant. Benedict Cumberbatch is the best part of this movie. His acting is brilliant as always. I wouldn't mind seeing a spin-off about the origins of the North Wind, the spy agency that his character runs. It would be awesome. I was a bit hesitant that this would kill the Madagascar franchise like Shrek Forever After killed the Shrek franchise but I gave it a chance and it was great. Sorry, Pixar but I think Dreamworks will eventually knock you off the top spot as the best animation studio. I loved everything about this movie. It's perfect. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars

This is masterpiece. Being 20 years old guy, i still like to watching this cartoon. Sometimes my 40 y\o father when have a time watch this. It's really funny cartoon where are different stories, like about love, about friendship, about action, about moral values! Each character full of their life way!

Skipper-Team leader. Always keeps team in healthy shape. Always says what to do and how to do. He use his "King slap" to calm down members of team. It's really funny and by this he emphasizes his leadership. And it is ridiculous in my opinion, is when he says the name of the operation. "Okay guys, we start operation "******" Let's go!" (c) Skipper. Ahahahah :D

Kowalski-Brain of team. He always have plan. Always! True scientist! His inventions strange but very interesting :D Scientist's language very funny. When Kowalski start to explain something, it's line OMG, wut :DD Which makes it really funny :) In many movies\cartoons in every team must be clever guy, i think in penguins it depicts the most fun, cool and exciting!

Rico-"Mad KABOOM Guy" I gave him this name :) Very strange one, which makes him very special in this team. He can only speak a few words, and the rest he can only make sounds. That's what makes him special :) Really funny guy :) YOu should watch him and u will understand me :))

Private-cutie of team. Very friendly one :) He always finds in people's kindness and honesty (with Skipper all the way around). When Skipper see potential enemy, Private meanwhile trying friend with him :) Hahaha :) So cute one ;)

What about another guys in Zoo. I just wanna say Dreamworks have very good taste!!! All personage are amazing! I cant imagine them in another taste's! Keep doing Dreamworks! I love you!!

10\10!!!!! <3

PS. Sorry for low English :)

It is funny all the way , never a dull moment . They managed to sneak in touching moments too . These penguins are wily & go-getters . Nobody can mess with them . Kowalski is tech support , skipper is leader (obviously) , rico is worker & private is sincere eager follower . They can and do outwit everybody . I remember in 'madagascar 3' where skipper said 'you only get one chance at first impression' after hippo lady could not break the door . Some people are saying it as hard selling and by-product of successful 'madagascar' franchise . But , this is thoughtfully scripted . Full entertainment for family . Dialogues are glib and mocking .

I didn't think I would like this as much or that it would be and feel as good as it did. It's not easy with spin-offs, the characters are there, but can you make a movie with them that can hold up? Obviously you can, which is something I expected (and expect) from the Minions movie, but not really from the Penguins.

While it's a kids movie, it also has a lot to offer for adults to. Which every good kids movie is doing nowadays of course. The story is pretty thin, but we get a couple of new people involved and of course an "enemy" we have to engage with. The ending might feel like a letdown for some (to some more than to others), but overall the movie did achieve what it set out to do.