First of all, let's laugh at the adults moaning about this film being 'terrible' or 'shallow'. Apart from being entirely wrong, they also seem to have forgotten that this ones for the kids!
There are really two points of view that matter here; the kid that watches the movie repeatedly and the adult that has to put up with it! On the first account my three year old son has been watching this for at least a year and still loves it. Multiple viewings don't seem to have tarnished it much at all and the opening three minutes still make him giggle with delight.
For me, as the suffering adult, I'd still give it a high rating. The animation is stylish, the casting perfect and the script funny. As has been mentioned in other reviews, the penguins are absolutely classic! I also loved the American Beauty and Planet Of the Apes references. OK, I admit it. I'm a big kid and as such I also give it the thumbs up!
Parents, get this!

If you do have the misfortune of watching this, I defy you to prevent your mind drifting. This is the whole problem, the story is so shallow and empty. You feel no sympathy for the characters, played by rather dismal american 'comedians' who fail to even raise a smile at any point in the duration. The characters are just so....bad. The plot is not involving and there is no empathy, so the audience does not feel involved at all.
There are so many better films out there it is hard to see why anybody would want this anymore. Even if it's in a sale, even if someone pays you to have it, don't do it! If you give this as a gift expect only disappointment.

Lovely film, really great extras. I particularly loved the penguins. A wonderful family film.

I am not quite sure about this film. I liked it for what it was, a kids film. But i am not sure weather or not i think it is good. It certainly isn't great. My three year old daughter likes it but doesn't play it as much as other films like Wallace and Gromit and Shark Tale.
The story doesn't really exist but it is fun for the kids.
The penguins are the best thing about this film and their christmas caper is hilarious. I hope there is going to be a spin off for them because they made the movie worth watching.
All in all this is okay for the kids if it keeps their attention but not that fussed on it. I have given it four stars because one is for Madagascar and three are for the Penguins.

This film is terrible. The story goes nowhere and the characters lack good personalities. This may be the worst film I have ever seen. However, the 'penguin christmas caper' is excellent, and the only reason this even gets 2 stars. In other words, if you find this 2-disc set cheap somewhere, buy it for the penguins. The film is rubbish and does not deserve ??15 of your money.