Madagascar

Only 2 thoughts watching this: AHAHAHAHA THESE TALKING ANIMALS ARE SO FUCKING FUNNY  And  “San Diego”  We’re presented with not just the domestication of animals, but individuals. "Melman, you know it's all in your head"Alex is proud and happy to be part of the system in place, it rewards and favors him; everyone loves him. Martys venture and yearn for the wild is not just relevant to captured zoo animals longing to be set free, but about people realizing their structure and lifestyle isn't the only way of living."I’ll be here my whole life"  "what continent is this? Manhattan." Marty doesn't even know what Antarctica is. But the educated people, or rather the penguins that are labeled as “conspirators” trying to escape the matrix, introduce something that had never clicked for him. Opportunity for something else, a different world view. We see the benefits of the zoo, their living conditions in a metropolitan first world society. But deep down we can wonder, is there anything more than this? Is there anything behind what’s painted over the wall? The illusion of freedom. "doesn't it bother you guys that you don't know ANYTHING outside this zoo?"  A masked vessel through this Hollywood animated children's film; Madagascar serves as a hilarious yet nuanced story about zoo animals misplaced in a different environment, a different way of living. Self actualized confinement physically and mentally, limiting their thinking. Alex is quite literally used to the sounds of crime and screaming as he falls asleep, clapping his lights off in his privilege. Reflecting how easy it is to turn a blind eye to the darker alleyways. Too many dialogue choices and narrative details that leave me to believe that it truly is the film's witty approach to these themes and humor over complete speculation. Even if it can be reflected from animals to humans oh so simply, in the end what difference really is there?  A kid leaving his home to see the world. The blueprint and the fundamental foundation in lots of stories. That his dreams are just jokes. That this way is the only way, with no second guess. "you don't fight the hand that feeds you" A lady was literally wearing his striped skin as a top that Marty recognizes and turns around to look, ironic sure. The cop he stumbles upon immediately asks if he can shoot it. Sure, these are all just light hearted jokes. "ITS THE MAN" The humor consists of blending almost entirely slapstick, hidden adult jokes, pop culture (mostly New York) references, and some memorable absurdist moments. "this is like a puffy party" King Julian is goat status, so are Maurice and Mort. There's literally a joke about Melman being a jew and his will. Marty is clearly black, hence a lot of the already ever present themes coupled by his mannerisms and being voiced by Chris Rock. Alex being a white man, voiced by Ben Stiller, enacts his privilege without even seeing it, as most white people do. The racial subtext is a lot more present in the sequel Escape 2 Africa with that heavier familial belonging. Alex literally segregates the island. His stubbornness is like that of most people, spawning division of spite and pettiness.  Alex literally has a propaganda dream after being drugged by the government and kicked out of where he lives, being sent "back where he belongs" and "back where he's from" then we see them physically boxed once again, but on a tighter, clearer, scarier sale. Melman is worried about not getting his first world healthcare he's used to "we're ruined" from after the first act onward we're taken on a self discovery story around Alex. This journey for Alex and his dynamic with Marty create a gripping enjoyable friendship that is tested ideologically, by natures intention. and how maybe it isn't all good going fully primitive devolved, but maybe we should also not be so reliant and blinded by our current world privileges. It's good to know what's out there. "its like millions and millions of helicopters"  A story at its core about conformity, that also functions as a queer story that I’m not equipped to talk about but take my word for it.. The biting on the butt, the self discovery that comes between Alex and Marty’s relationship, nature and worldview, the self isolation after coming out and realizing. He literally can't control himself around Marty. "I’m a monster for what I am" mentality, learning how to accept himself. Okay maybe I am a bit equipped to talk about this.  We then end with the conflict seemingly concluded. They’re ready to see the world with a new sense of found freedom. The penguins, the penguins however are still the only ones to know the truth. In a morbidly devastating turn of events Private asks Skipper if they should tell them that the boat has no gas, skippers response? "nah, just smile and wave boys, smile and wave". Ah, Madagascar