Film Name: 马达加斯加的企鹅 / Penguins of Madagascar
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Truth is, these four penguins are just a bunch of trusty buddies chasing their dreams—that’s why we love them.
The film truly shines in its chase sequences—scenes often seen in American action blockbusters.
Even the well-equipped North Wind Task Force pales in comparison to the radiant charm of the four grassroots protagonists. Perhaps the reason lies in their lack of that genuine, heartfelt trust among themselves.
Compared to the chase on the canals of Venice in Italy, the Shanghai sequence fails to fully showcase Chinese characteristics—despite being filmed right where Oriental DreamWorks is located.
Many tout the penguins’ cuteness as a highlight, but I disagree. Can the four grown-up penguin agents in the film truly be called cute?
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The four penguins from “Penguins of Madagascar” finally embark on their own independent adventure, just as they dreamed of doing when they were young, chasing their own life paths. Unlike the monotonous, aimless journey of other penguins, the four protagonists, led by their leader Skipper, leave Antarctica and set off on a distant voyage with only a 5% chance of survival.
The opening sequence holds greater significance than all the film’s comedic moments combined. It imbues these cool supporting characters from Madagascar with a compelling worldview that resonates deeply with the core audience—millennials and Gen Z—catering to their psychological need for independence, autonomy, and individuality.
The film’s true brilliance lies in its chase sequences, reminiscent of those in American action blockbusters. From octopuses relentlessly pursuing penguins aboard a Venetian gondola to the penguin quartet teaming up with the North Wind squad to chase an octopus transport ship at sea, the rapid-fire editing and rich imagination deliver a thrilling spectacle. However, the performances in certain static scenes feel overly “over-the-top.” For instance, the octopus’s appearance from a vending machine—a vault, a vending machine, and an octopus hiding inside—feels incredibly contrived in hindsight. Similarly, the idea that a few seals could smash through glass at the Shanghai aquarium seems implausible.
Many tout the penguins’ cuteness as the film’s highlight, but I disagree. While baby penguins might have a certain cuteness, can the four adult penguin agents in the film truly be called adorable? Compared to the endearing gaze of the cat in “Shrek” or WALL·E’s trembling fear when confronted by the spaceship in “WALL·E,” these four penguins lack any real charm, both in appearance and personality. If “Penguins of Madagascar” emphasized their “cool” side as agents, then using their cuteness as a selling point in this film feels contradictory.
What truly captivates me is the bond of trust between them. All three subordinates trust their leader: Kowalski and Rico would vote for the boss’s rescue plan without hesitation; even rookie Private tells the North Wind agents that the boss would never abandon his team. Meanwhile, the leader—always steady, seasoned, self-reliant, and decisive—trusts his team: he consistently seeks data from the brains, Kowalski; he routinely assigns crucial missions to the reckless Rico; and though his feelings toward the rookie have always been protective, I believe this adventure has transformed Private into a trusted, capable member of the team. In truth, the four penguins are simply a group of friends who trust each other and chase their dreams in life—that’s why we love them.
The emotional bonds among the penguin quartet far surpass those of the North Wind agents, whose relationship seems purely hierarchical. When I see the North Wind team—wolf, polar bear, owl, and seal—images from the classic cartoon “BraveStarr” actually flash through my mind. Remember how the sheriff could possess the eagle’s eyesight, the wolf’s hearing, the bear’s strength, and the panther’s speed? Even if it’s not a coincidence, the fact that the four members of the North Wind Task Force are equipped with these traits at least illustrates the four fundamental qualities Westerners believe an agent must possess. Of course, even such a well-equipped team, even one armed with so much high-tech gear, couldn’t outshine the four grassroots protagonists. The reason, perhaps, was the absence of that deep, heartfelt trust they shared.
The film opens with the Oriental DreamWorks logo, and it naturally incorporates a Chinese element—Shanghai. When Western stories are explicitly set in China, they almost always take place in Hong Kong or Shanghai, never in Beijing. The latter evokes political connotations, while the former symbolizes a glamorous metropolis. Yet compared to the Venice water chase in Italy, the Shanghai sequence fails to fully showcase Chinese characteristics—despite being the very location of Oriental DreamWorks. This may suggest that the film’s creative direction remains fundamentally American, with Oriental DreamWorks functioning merely as a factory of the American DreamWorks in the East.
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