Family Movie Night Activity: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
“What do we know about owning a circus?” “Nothing.”
Alex, Marty and the original Madagascar crew is together again and they’re trying to get back to the New York City zoo that they have started to miss. They all end up joining a traveling circus that is hoping to end up back in the United States, but will they ever make it back to the States before the circus animals find out they aren’t really who they say they are? Will they all get caught by the crazy animal control officer who’s been meaning to add a lion to her collection? Grab your whole family and find out with our latest Family Movie Night Activity.
Movie Snacks:
*The monkeys avoid getting caught by the animal control officer, Captain DuBois, by using their banana gun. Serve up your favorite banana dessert, like Banana Cream Pie or Banana Splits in honor of their narrow escape.
*When Vitaly loses his passion for being a Circus Tiger, all he has a passion for is eating Borsch. Make some Borsch (or your own favorite kind of soup) and see if you can be as passionate about soup as Vitaly is.
*When the American circus promoter is in the audience waiting for the circus to start, he’s holding a bald eagle and some popcorn. Serve up some popcorn to your movie night audience so they can enjoy a snack like the promoter does.
Must Pause Moments:
*Marty loves the rainbow wig he wears for the circus. When he puts it on and sings, break out the wigs for your family. Let everyone wear a silly wig while watching the rest of the movie. If you have one wig to share then pass it from person to person each time someone in the movie says “Circus!”
*If you made popcorn, play a game of Catch the Popcorn as soon as you see the circus promoter and his eagle. Take turns tossing popcorn to each other and see who is best at catching it in their mouth. You can also break into pairs and see which pair can get the farthest apart and still catch the popcorn.
*At the end of the movie the classic Madagascar song “I Like to Move It” comes on in a funky re-mix with the signature “Circus Afro” song from this movie. Bust a move with your whole family and wrap up Movie Night with a dance party.
Other Activities:
*Marty and the other animals build Alex a mud replica of New York from memory. Grab the play dough or cardboard and markers and make a replica of your house, neighborhood or home town. Be sure to remember to add in each person’s favorite place.
*Each different circus animal has a different act. There are performances with tightropes, flaming rings, jet packs, lights, balloons, and all sorts of different things. Have each family member think about what circus act they would like to do if they were in the Fur Power Circus, or go the extra mile and have a talent show along with movie night where everyone shows off their best circus trick.
*Madagascar 3 is obviously a sequel, so why not make Movie Night, a Movie Marathon Night. Grab all three movies and watch them throughout the day or plan the next three Movie Night’s to feature each of these silly and fun movies, one after the other.
*LyndiLou* - The Movie Mom Wearing a Circus Afro Wig
Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor; 93 min; Directed By Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
An assortment of zoo animals (voiced by Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer), tired of waiting for the rescue penguins to return to Madagascar, decide to find them in Monte Carlo and from there go back to their beloved New York City. ?Their presence in Monte Carlo attracts the attention of Animal Control Captain Dubois (Frances McDormand) who, desirous to add “Lion” to her collection of trophies, begins her relentless pursuit of the animals across Europe. ?The animals find temporary sanctuary in a traveling circus.
ClearPlay In Action!
Though rated PG, Madagascar has its share of scatological humor. ?ClearPlay trims a handful of terms, and scenes involving some bodily functions and crude sight gags (i.e. an animal vomiting, someone getting stuck in an animal’s rear end). ?The ?ClearPlayed version should appeal to all ages.
Is it a mad, mad, Madagascar world?…
I laughed more while I was watching it with my kids than I did alone, which suggests the movie works best as a family experience. ?It’s fun, colorful, and plenty loud, and though the plot gets a bit predictable, the jokes and rapport continue to surprise and delight. ?Peppy, recognizable music highlights the soundtrack.
Marty Nabhan— ClearPlay Trapeze Artist
Rated PG for some mild action and rude humor; 93 min; Directed By Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon