Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

A sugar high that inevitably fades with time.

This is animation that never just goes through the motions but glories in its feats and so, almost certainly, will you.

Here is a family movie from which absolutely nothing is expected, and yet it's one of the week's best releases: a muscular, potent and very funny film.

You don't have to be a child of four to enjoy this series, but it helps.

"The best of the Madagascar films" might not be the most ringing endorsement ever committed to newsprint, but DreamWorks Animation has finally found the franchise's groove in this pyrotechnic third instalment.

Madagascar 3 isn't an emotional ride the way Pixar's films tend towards, but it's relentlessly goofy fun. Good for some laughs, I say take a small person and see what happens.

May very well become America's most wanted film this first weekend in June.

I will not call watching the movie a bad experience. But to be honest with you, that's not saying much.

This movie is bright and busy with plenty of bells and whistles, but quickly wanes, despite its best effort.