Well here we go again with Alex the lion - BEN STILLER, Marty the zebra - CHRIS ROCK, Gloria the hippo - JADA PINKETT SMITH and Melman the giraffe - DAVID SCHWIMMER - yes, it's MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED.

The four are determined to make their way back to the New York zoo but some fast work by the penguins makes a detour to Europe a necessity. From the casinos of Monte Carlo, to Rome and Paris, they are pursued by obsessive trophy hunter and animal control chief - FRANCES MCDORMAND. Their only escape is to join a circus.

Endearing for the most part, this third instalment of the successful franchise is an overload of colour and spectacle as the newcomers to the circus help it to lift its game. New friends are made - a sinuous jaguar - JESSICA CHASTAIN, a sea lion - MARTIN SHORT and a cranky Siberian tiger - BRYAN CRANSTON. Particularly sweet is SACHA BARON COHEN'S lemur king and his romance with a bear on a bicycle.

Perhaps the spectacle overwhelms the characters at times but this is a fun addition to this particular series. 3 and half stars from me.

ABC: AT THE MOVIES
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