Madagascar Escape 2 Africa – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2008

70%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Zoo animals crash-land in Africa and discover their wild roots—it's fine, your kids will probably enjoy it, you'll survive it.

6.6/10

64%

6.5

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Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

movie

PG, 2008

70%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Zoo animals crash-land in Africa and discover their wild roots—it's fine, your kids will probably enjoy it, you'll survive it.

6.6

64%

6.5

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6.6/10

64%

6.5

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Screenwise Verdict

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is perfectly serviceable family entertainment—the kind of movie you put on during a rainy afternoon and everyone makes it through without complaints. It's got heart (the father-son lion story is sweet), humor (some lands, some doesn't), and enough action to keep kids engaged.

The Africa setting adds some visual variety and the themes of identity and belonging are developmentally appropriate for elementary-aged kids. That said, it's a 2008 DreamWorks sequel, which means it's not breaking any new ground and some of the humor feels a bit dated.

It won't change your kid's life, but it also won't rot their brain. Think of it as the animated equivalent of a solid B+: does the job, everyone's happy enough, and you can scroll your phone during the musical numbers without missing anything crucial. If your kids loved the first one, they'll probably enjoy this. If they didn't, there's no reason to force it.

Age Fit

Best for kids 5-10 who enjoyed the first Madagascar or just want a fun animal adventure. Younger than 5 might find some moments scary; older than 10 will likely find it a bit babyish unless they're nostalgic.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models friendship, family reunion themes, and cooperation among the zoo animals. The movie shows Alex reconnecting with his parents and the group working together to solve problems. Some cartoon violence and mild peril (plane crash, predator/prey dynamics) but handled with humor. Pacing is energetic but not overly chaotic for a DreamWorks animated sequel.

Imaginative

Creative premise of zoo animals crash-landing in Africa and encountering their wild counterparts. The fish-out-of-water setup offers some imaginative scenarios (penguins fixing a plane, hippos in romance plots). However, as a sequel it recycles some beats from the first film and leans heavily on established character dynamics rather than breaking new ground. Colorful animation and African setting provide visual interest.

Safe

Typical DreamWorks animated fare—cartoon action and mild peril (plane crash, water shortage conflict, predator tension) but nothing graphic or traumatic. Some potty humor and slapstick violence that's clearly comedic. No inappropriate content, though there are some mild scary moments for very young viewers (elderly lady fighting animals). The predator/prey dynamic (Alex being a carnivore) is handled carefully. Generally predictable and safe for family viewing.

Enriching

Touches on themes of identity (where you belong—city vs. wild), family bonds, and accepting differences. The story explores what 'home' means and includes a father-son reconciliation arc. However, the movie prioritizes laughs and action over deeper messages. Some cultural elements of Africa are present but fairly surface-level. Entertaining but not particularly thought-provoking—kids will have fun but won't walk away with major insights.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Themes of family, belonging, and identity that work for younger elementary kids without being heavy-handed
Familiar characters from the first movie mean less explaining and more enjoying if they already know the gang
Colorful animation and energetic pacing keeps shorter attention spans engaged
Positive messages about accepting differences and working together across the animal kingdom

⚠

What to Watch For

Some mild peril (plane crash, water shortage drama) and cartoon violence that might spook very sensitive preschoolers
The predator/prey dynamic (Alex is a lion who eats meat) is addressed but could raise questions from thoughtful kids
Typical DreamWorks humor includes some potty jokes and slapstick that lands somewhere between clever and eye-roll-inducing
It's a 2008 sequel—not terrible, but also not going to blow anyone's mind in 2025

Conversation Starters

"Alex had to choose between his New York life and his family in Africa—have you ever felt torn between two places or groups of friends?"
"The animals had to work together even though they're really different. When have you had to cooperate with someone who wasn't like you?"
"What do you think 'home' means? Is it where you're from or where you feel like you belong?"
"The penguins are pretty resourceful—if you were stuck somewhere, what skills would help you get home?"

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