#he just looks and acts like rico from penguins from madagascar

[stylera]

just watched the 2018 tabaluga movie and saw james...

[sarnai4]

Expectation Subversion

Penguins of Madagascar has some of my favorite examples of subverting expectations for personalities. They also gave me something that I try to use when creating my own characters. It seems like the characters can easily fit into a one-dimensional stereotype, but then there's more. Let's start off with Rico.

At first glance, Rico is just a loose cannon. In lesser shows, he might have been. After all, he just needs to be the silly one who spits up weapons and sure, he is, but that's not all. Rico is also fiercely loyal. He's the same one who was terrified of a "haunted" car and still braved it head-on when it had hurt Skipper. Comically enough, he can just as easily turn on the others when Ms. Perky wants him to do something else (cue Rico attacking them because of that darn voice box). An underrated skill of Rico's is how resourceful he is. He always knows exactly what weapon is necessary for the moment. With these skills, his loyalty, and his fun/unhinged flair, he really comes to life as a character.

Private is seemingly just the nice guy of the group. He's the young one who's innocent. Again, this is a part of him. He is very nice, not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings like when he was supposed to win a rude-off against Clemson. He's also pretty naive with a lot of things, being unsuspecting about Hans actually being bad. Despite this, there's more to Private than niceness. He's got the most common sense of the group, being the only one to see that grabbing the plant needed to save Maurice's life would be easier than continuing to use the jaws of life AND realizing how unlikely it was that Santa was spending Christmas Eve in a random building. I also love how he's got a backstory of being this almost ruthless mini golf player. His underrated skill is that he's the second best fighter of the group. Solely looking at fin-to-fin combat, Private is the only one who's been on par with Skipper.

Kowalski could have just been the "science nerd." He definitely has this as a core part of him, but he's also such a drama queen. I love it. He's the poster boy for book smarts because this penguin has a score of 0 for practical reasoning. Heck, he had to figure out which instincts to use. His struggles with this leads to him continuously making inventions that almost kill everybody. Kowalski is always an invention away from turning into a mad scientist. I'm convinced this actually has happened before and then he just snaps back to his senses (thinking about times like Jiggles and more). Something else which adds an interesting layer to him is how much he wants to be in charge. He's technically the second-in-command and has made it clear that he'd like to replace Skipper when the time comes. "Kowalski's log...too soon?"

Skipper seems like he's just the tough boss. In a comedy like this, he easily could've been an incompetent leader. Rather than that, he's honestly a very good leader who is clever with his plans. Seriously, his escape plans shown in Pets Peeved and more episodes really demonstrate how thoroughly he can think out a strategy even when he's on the spot. Along with this, Skipper tries to act hard and rough, but he makes it clear that he cares about his team more than anything. He even faced his fear of needles (this show singlehandedly taught me what trypanophobia was) for Private when he learned that the soldier would've been hurt otherwise. It even stretches beyond them. Skipper really cares about everyone in the zoo, going so far as to look out for Julien who is probably one of his least favorite zoo mates. I also really like how much being a leader means to Skipper. When he thought he couldn't be in charge anymore, he was having a meltdown. He even put Private as leader just so that he could make it clear who actually deserves the position. It's so petty, that it's almost beautiful.

[justanothercinemaniac]

Epic Movie (Re)Watch #178 - Madagascar

Spoilers Below

Have I seen it before: Yes

Did I like it then: Yes.

Do I remember it: Yes.

Did I see it in theaters: Yes.

Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: No.

Format: DVD

1) I was not actually planning on watching this so soon for my recap. I only own the first one and was thinking of getting the sequels in the future so I could do the whole trilogy. BUT I am currently working at a youth summer drama camp which is putting on this production and the director asked me to watch this film for that. So I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and do the Epic Movie (Re)Watch post for it simultaneously.

2) The dream is actually a nice way to start the film, primarily because it clearly illustrates Marty’s driving motivations for the first half of the film while also setting up some of its humor (mainly through the choral penguins flying away).

3) Ben Stiller as Alex.

Stiller’s performance as Alex the Lion makes what could have easily been an unlikable character lovable instead. He’s warm, excited, genuinely heartfelt. He does not condescend to his friends, he is never seen stabbing them in the back for the chance to be more famous, and Stiller just makes the character fun to watch.

4) The opening scene of the guests at the zoo - cutting between animals, establishing various characters - is a nice example of a model telling. We get a sense of what everyday zoo life is like for everyone, something which is juxtaposed against the shenanigans to come.

5) The Penguins.

The ultimate scene stealers of the show, the Penguins have become so popular they have their own short film, TV series, and even a feature length film. All you have to do is look to this film to understand why. There is a clear dynamic in the group formed with leader Skipper (voiced incredibly by director Todd McGrath), second hand Kowalski, wild card Rico and lovable Private; a chain of command which is fun to watch and see them operate. They are not nearly as competent as they believe but the fact that they are so confident in their buffoonery makes you A) actually believe they’re skilled spy like creatures, and B) enjoy watching them all the more.

6) You can file this one under jokes I didn’t get as a kid.

Melman [after Marty puts the thermometer Melman gave to him in his mouth]: “You know that was my first rectal thermometer.”

7) Chris Rock as Marty.

Rock breathes a lot of life into the protagonist zebra, making Marty kind and sincere. The enthusiasm he has for going to the wild is childlike and infectious. He’s funny when Marty needs to be funny but vulnerable/honest when also needed.

8) Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria.

Gloria actually does not get to do as much as I remember (probably because her role increased with the sequels). That doesn’t mean Pinkett Smith isn’t good in the part. She breathes a lot of warmth and personality into the character. Her performance allows Gloria to stand out as much Marty and Alex despite the smaller amount of screen time comparatively speaking.

9)

Marty: “I don’t even know if I’m black with white strips or white with black stripes.”

It was formerly believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes (because some zebras have white underbellies). However, evidence has shown that the animal’s background color is black and the white stripes and bellies are additions.

10) Alex and Marty signing “New York New York” early in the film is a nice showcase of their strong friendship. While at odds for most of the film, it is when this relationship shines through that the characters are at their most interesting.

11) David Schwimmer as Melman.

Schwimmer is able to play the neurotic character well while also making him subtlety different from Ross from “Friends”. There’s a bit of a difference in his voice; a little more of a gnawing neuroticism than an over the top comedic one (as he got to show off in the later seasons of “Friends”). While he was potentially type cast in the part, he is able to make Melman his own character wonderfully and a worthy addition to the quartet of zoosters.

12) Zoosters Breakout.

Bolstered by what might be the best piece of score on the soundtrack by composer Hans Zimmer, the breakout and chasing down of Marty is one of the funnest parts of the film. A lot happens in not a lot of time and we are carried through the scene with wonderful humor, editing, music, and performances from the actors. It also features one of the best remembered gags in the film in "Bad Kitty”.

(GIF originally posted by @the-light-of-animation)

And one of my personal favorites as well.

Skipper: “We’ve been ratted out, boys.”

13) Man, everyone points out the drug jokes in The Good Dinosaur and Dumbo but let’s not forget about this:

14) When the Phil the monkey is using “sign language” I don’t think it’s accurate (as someone who has been studying it for the past year), which is pretty annoying honestly. Either do it accurately or have him communicate in another way.

15) The beach scene has a lot of great gags in quick succession. Alex almost vaulting (?) Melman in the crotch, Gloria showing up looking a bit like a mermaid, Marty coming in on the dolphins, and of course…

16) Oh Melman…

Melman [thinking the beach is the San Diego Zoo]: “Complete with fake rocks. Wow, that looks real!”

17) In the same way that “I’m A Believer” became the anthem for Shrek, “I Like To Move It” has been repurposed into the theme for the entire Madagascar series.

18) Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien

Julien risks topping the penguins as the top scene stealer in the film. Originally a two minute bit part, after Sacha Baron Cohen auditioned the filmmakers expanded the role to best showcase his humor. Baron Cohen’s abilities as a character actor/mast of improv shines through in the part. There’s heart and humor in every bit of his dialogue, totally effecting and partially elevating the rest of the film.

19) Honestly this film is a bit weaker than I remember, mainly from a structural standpoint. They spend a lot of time bickering/freaking out on the beach about being the wild. While it leads to a lot of great gags, often times plot movement relates to physical movement and since the characters just stay put for a while so does the plot.

20) This is another joke I didn’t get as a kid.

21) See #21.

22) I mentioned before that I think this film is at its best when we’re treated to the relationship Alex and Marty have together.

Marty [to Alex, about the wild]: “Can you give it a chance? Just think about it. It isn’t really the fun side [of the island] without you.”

It’s nice seeing these moments between the pair, showing just how strong their friendship. They’re more than friends; they fight and forgive each other, they’re brothers.

23) Hmm…

Marty: “You know what Alex: I promise I’m going to find you a steak tomorrow if it kills me.”

24) I grew up in Wisconsin. I appreciate this.

Private [after the penguins observe cold, windy Antarctica]: “Well this sucks.”

25) I forgot this line was in the film. It made me laugh more than it should.

Julien [trying to dismiss Alex biting Marty’s butt]: “Come on Maurice, what is a simple bite on the button between friends. Here, give me a nibble.”

26) This is the moment where Gloria gets to shine as a strong, determined character.

Gloria [about what to do about Alex]: “Come on, we are New Yorkers right!? We’re tough! We’re gritty! We’re adaptable! And we are NOT going to lay down like a bunch of Melmans!”

27) I dig this joke.

28) Jeffrey Katzenberg admitted he was disappointed with the film’s final act. And it does kinda lose steam at the end (despite some great gags with the penguins and the Foosa), but there is still a nice bit of Alex and Marty’s relationship there. Alex’s conflict over what nature intends for him and what he hopes to be (a killer predator vs a friend to Marty, respectively) is compelling, and the way Marty is there for his friend even though Alex wants to eat him just speaks to the continued strength of their relationship.

29) This is a nice last joke to end the film on.

Private: “Skipper, don’t you think we should tell them that the boat’s out of gas?”

Skipper: “Nah. Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.”

I enjoy Madagascar well enough. I think the third one is the best and its obviously not the best Dreamworks film of the 21st century (Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon vie for that spot in my opinion). But the characters are fun, there’s a lot of great humor (especially from the penguins and Julien), and it’s just a really enjoyable 90ish minutes. If you want to take part in the film, do so. You’ll probably enjoy it.

[cloudhayato]

Okay.

I think you could see Butch Hartman’s style as almost an antithesis to Akira Amano’s. Amano’s style tries for striking detail, diverse outfits, and dynamic, fluid combat. To the contrary, Butch Hartman’s character design is simple through and through. This can be chalked up to the difference between manga and animation, but I’ve seen his illustrations as well and honestly, I’m not very impressed.

An AU’s purpose is to stray from the source material, hence the name “alternate universe.” The intensity of differences are not set in stone, and can simply be slightly altering some scenes, or completely altering the world, setting and story. These are all valid forms of AUs. I don’t know if artstyles could possibly count as AU since everyone has own unique to them, and it’s their visual rendering of the character’s but I would dare call this a visual AU because of the iconicness of the style you’re emulating and also because it makes me feel rage.

Penguins of Madagascar, from what I can remember of the TV show, is deeper hijinks linked to criminal organizations, similar to khr. You could probably put the Kokuyo gang in that world as penguins and have it fit, though you’d have to change the motivations and also there aren’t enough penguins for each character. The penguins, committing some morally gray actions, ultimately see themselves as the hero. In the movie’s they act a lot more in self-interest, while in the show, there is a genuine desire to keep peace and stop evil from succeeding. Like when they stopped their nemesis, Dr. Blowhole the dolphin, from melting the polar ice caps or whatever the fuck he was doing I’m not looking it up. They’ve also faced against a walrus who I don’t remember if they did anything evil but they were some kind of spy or something.

So would the kokuyo penguins be evil? How do you translate their goals to the PoM universe? Are we adding all the characters to this universe and assigning them roles? Like, Reborn would be King Julien and I don’t know the devil would be Mort. Or are we just taking account their self-contained hijinks among the group and the small missions and heists they go on. There was something would a toy factory and all I remember is that Private got left behind to die, so, that fucking sucks for him.

I think Fran would be that egg they took care of and then hatched into a very powerful duckling with all their abilities. I think his name was Ducky? Yeah that’s Fran. Kowalski would be Chikusa, Rico is Ken, and Private would be Chrome. Skipper is obviously Mukuro, and that’s all the penguins + duckling so M.M. is Marlene the otter. God is dead and we have killed them.

Khr fandom discuss