This document compares and contrasts the animated films Madagascar and The Wild. Both films have similar plots where zoo animals from New York City end up stranded in the wild. Specifically, the main characters in both are lions who lead their friends, which also include a zebra, giraffe, and hippo. Both films also share similarities in their setting in Central Park Zoo, use of animals as characters, and the plot of introducing domesticated zoo animals to the wilderness. However, some critics argue The Wild is a blatant rip-off of Madagascar while others believe it is the superior film. Overall, the document analyzes the many similarities and few key differences between these two animated films with nearly identical storylines and

1. Compare Essay ( Madagascar & The Wild )
Animated movie were becoming a burgeoning demand in the film industry and
continues to go till today. Animated film is a collection of illustrations that are
photographed frame-by-frame and then played in a quick succession. Since its
inception, animation has had a creative and imaginative tendency. Being able to
bring animals and objects to life, this genre has catered towards fairy tales and
children’s stories. However, animation has long been a genre enjoyed by all ages.
As of recent, there has even been an influx of animation geared towards adults.
Animation is commonly thought of as a technique, thus it’s ability to span over
many different genres.
To begin with, I am a movie fanatic and my favorite genre is animated film.
Watching animated film to me is like escaping from a dull daily routine into the
world of fantasy where everything is beyond my imagination. They carry me to
other dimensions,or in other words,a virtual reality world anime and etc. And
recently, I have watched two popular animated movie which are “Madagascar”
and “the Wild”. I find these two movies are sharing some similarities. There are:
The main character is a Lion,said lion and his friends live in a zoo,the zoo is in
New York,one of the characters wants to escape to the wild, the gang winds up in
the wild where they encounter obstacles and inter species love.
First and foremost, actually the both movies are shared a same synopsis: A lion,
giraffe and their animal buddies are forced to leave a New York City Zoo when
they follow a friend out of the big apple and onto a boat bound for Africa. I

2. considered The Wild to be heavily derivative of the 2005 film, Madagascar. USA
Today suggested that it was "the most wildly derivative animated movie in ages",
while Variety described it as "ultimately done in by the persistent stench of
been-there-seen-that".
However, similarities include its setting in New York's Central Park Zoo, similar
animals as characters, and the primary plot of introducing zoo animals to the wild.
The name of the film and the tag line, "Start spreading the news", a play on the
opening line from the Frank Sinatra song "New York, New York", were both used
as integral plot points in Madagascar. Moreover, they have same story plot too:
Despite this, At New York's Central Park Zoo, a lion, a zebra, a giraffe, and a
hippo are best friends and stars of the show. But when one of the animals goes
missing from their cage, the other three break free to look for him, only to find
themselves reunited ... on a ship en route to Africa. When their vessel is hijacked,
however, the friends, who have all been raised in captivity, learn first-hand what
life can be like in the wild.
In addition to that, they are using lion as the main character. The lion is
headstrong, protective and self-proclaimed leader of his friends. He is used to the
life of comfort in the zoo, but learns to adapt to the wild. He's smart, quick thinking
and fast on his feet. He is a dancer by nature, often impressing others with his
aerobatic feats. He does tend to be a little self-absorbed, often not seeing the
problems of others above his own. He enjoys his life at the zoo and has plenty of

3. friends and is surprised when hearing Marty's wish to leave and live in the wild (Or
run free in Connecticut as stated in the movie).
Last but not least,, a few critics defended The Wild as the superior film. Critic Mike
Sage wrote "don't be mistaking this for a Madagascar rip-off, when it was that
sloppy DreamWorks turd that only managed to make it to theaters first because of
corporate espionage". Without addressing which film was the original concept,
Tim Cogshell of Boxoffice Magazine simply wrote "for the adult who may very well
have to experience this film, and who may have experienced Madagascar, The
Wild is better.
In Conclusion, both animated films are different movie but they have a lot of
similarities in theme,story plot,events,characteristics and others. However, here is
a lot that we can learn from this fun animated film! Apart from the many humorous
jokes, the adorable characters, the stunning visuals, and an entertaining story,
Madagascar offers us the opportunity to pick up a lesson or two. An adult can use
instances from the film to highlight to kids the value of friendship, of sticking
together even in troubling times, of adjustments, and of never giving up hope.
There are strains in friendship, caused by Alex(lion)’s need for meat, but it is
apparent that these are friends for life when Marty(Zebra) thinks of saving Alex’s
life, in spite of endangering his own life in the process.

4. Reference:
http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/animated
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/plotsummary
http://africasacountry.com/2010/10/africa-on-film-madagascar/
http://www.bucketbros.com/text/disney-dreamworks-feud.html
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/