Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with undercover organization The North Wind to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it.

Directors:

Eric Darnell, Simon J. Smith

Writers:

Michael Colton (screenplay by), John Aboud (screenplay by)

Stars:

Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights

8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom McGrath	...	Skipper (voice)
Chris Miller	...	Kowalski (voice)
Christopher Knights	...	Private (voice)
Conrad Vernon	...	Rico (voice)
John Malkovich	...	Dave (voice)
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Classified (voice)
Ken Jeong	...	Short Fuse (voice)
Annet Mahendru	...	Eva (voice)
Peter Stormare	...	Corporal (voice)
Andy Richter	...	Mort (voice)
Danny Jacobs	...	King Julien (voice)
Sean Charmatz	...	Cricket (voice)
Werner Herzog	...	Documentary Filmmaker (voice)
Stephen Kearin	...	Pilot / Aquarium Employee (voice)
Kelly Cooney	...	Mermaid Penguin (voice)

Storyline

Super spy teams aren't born - they're hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome Eurasian wolf Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then - you know). Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, from destroying the world as we know it.

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Plot Keywords:

fireworks | talking animal | polar bear | wolf | cat | 

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Taglines:

The movie event that will blow their cover

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild action and some rude humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among the celebrity name references Dave uses to his minions, 2 of them were celebrities that started in previous DreamWorks animation films: Nicolas Cage was in The Croods (2013). Hugh Jackman was in Flushed Away (2006) and Rise of the Guardians (2012). In addition, Robin Wright previously collaborated with Dave's voice actor John Malkovich in the Paramount animated film Beowulf (2007).

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Goofs

Venice has no roads for automobiles. The truck loaded with watermelons would not be in a city accessible only by boat or foot.

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Quotes

Private: So... how do I look?
Kowalski: You're hideously disfigured and will probably be hunted for sport.
Private: What?
[Skipper elbows Kowalski]
Kowalski: What?
Skipper: If there's anything we've learned from this delightful adventure, KOWALSKI, it's that looks don't matter. It's what you do that counts.
[overwhelmed with emotion]
Skipper: And look at what you did.
[the penguins from different countries look at Private, to his delight. Baby penguins pop out from behind parent penguins]
Skipper: Yes, sir. You are the most meaningful and valued member of this team.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

As a reference to a running gag in the film, Dave is initially identified as "Debbie" in the closing credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Shark Tale (2021)

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Soundtracks

Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Arranged by Sheldon Curry
Courtesy of FirstCom Music

User Reviews

Previews WRECKED a fun movie

I would give the movie a 9 if you are seeing it someplace other than the theater. We had to endure 25 minutes - literally - of previews and some of them (in particular Pan) are NOT kid friendly. My 4 year old enjoys a movie and has no issues sitting through them. Before the movie had even started he was asking to go home. Parents around us were actually complaining out loud with every new preview (now that's a first). What made it worse was the movie starts a bit slowly. I thought we were in trouble and I basically had to insist that we stay.

The movie itself was surprisingly entertaining and funny. Both myself and my son laughed throughout (although at different parts). What was a really nice change is the "adult humor" wasn't completely based on sex like has been the trend on so many Disney and Pixar films as of late. Much of it was clever with fun references to other movies.

My four year old - who likes Madagascar - laughed and cheered. The bad guy wasn't too bad and there was enough action to keep everyone's attention. The movie did run a bit long but that was really due to the previews. My son got pretty restless near the end.

Who knew that penguins could be so enjoyable???

I would definitely recommend Penguins but NOT at the movie theater (which pains me to say). If you are a parent wait for the DVD or streaming. They really wrecked a fun movie going experience. Clearly the executives and marketers don't have the children that should be the target audience for this movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Brazil]

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish Armenian English Italian Mandarin

Release Date:

26 November 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Penguins of Madagascar

Box Office

Budget:

$132,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,447,444, 30 November 2014

Gross USA:

$83,850,911

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$373,515,621

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Animation, Pacific Data Images (PDI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos Auro 11.1 Dolby Surround 7.1 Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1