MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED

Our quartet of misfit zoo folk are keen to get back to New York - but first they have to swing by Monte Carlo to pick up the penguins and chimps, who are taking advantage of its casinos. Upon arrival, they’re discovered and land themselves on the radar of one of the most feared and tenacious Animal Control officers ever known, Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand). The group take refuge with a traveling circus who hope to make it to America if they can just impress a circus promoter at their next stop.

Once again, the themes of belonging and discovering your true self are the order of the day - but who cares about that when you’ve got crowd favourites the penguins and King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) stealing the show at every turn - especially when Julien finds himself falling head over heals for Sonia, the bicycle-riding grizzly bear complete with pink tutu.

With the circus in town, this outing is a feast for the eyes, but not the soul. The animators make spectacular work of a chase scene through the streets and rooftops of Monte Carlo, displaying its stunning landscape, and a neon-filled circus performance remnant of ‘Be Our Guest’ from ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

McDormand along with Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain and Martin Short are the new players this time around. Such an impressive list of actors just proves the power and appeal of this hilarious and engaging series.