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WE LOVE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT!
In the summer of 2005, Madagascar scored big
with both domestic and
international audiences, racking up more than
half-a-billion at the worldwide box office,
making it the top family comedy of the year.
Once the fancy-footed lion, a quick talking
zebra, an anxiety-ridden giraffe and a smart
n saucy hippo were released into theaters
around the globe, these four New York
friends—better known as Alex, Marty, Melman
and Gloria—became the most popular quartet
of the season.
Writer/director Eric Darnell remembers being
relieved by the reception of
Madagascar, but not really that surprised. He
says, Madagascar was a success
because it had these entertaining and
enjoyable characters that people could
identify
with—they also connected with them on a
human level. And despite their flaws, their
issues, their anxieties, whatever problems
they may be facing, you always empathize with
them and want them to come through.
Writer/director Tom McGrath continues, We
just fell in love with the characters
that we created along with Ben Stiller, Chris
Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett
Smith—and clearly, everyone else did, too.
We had this great ensemble cast that we just
totally loved. We took on the theme of
civility versus savagery and turned that into
a
friendship story about these zoo animals,
when their bonds were tested once they got
into
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Production
Information 3
the wild. Even at the time we ended the first
movie—before it became this huge hit—we
were thinking that we could do so much more
with these characters.
Producer Mireille Soria also reasons, There
is something about the design that
people love. And I think thats part of
it—theyre very graphic—along with being
smart
and funny. The first movie was about the
importance of friendship and what it means to
be a good friend. One of the things that is
so great about New York is its diversity, and
that is reflected in our group—a lion, a
giraffe, a zebra and a hippo who are best
friends.
And that was something we thought we could
explore even further. And we could also
celebrate that.
will.i.am comments, Madagascar is one of our
favorite movies. I think Ive
seen it, like, 500 times. We were in
Johannesburg, in the airport, and our tour
manager
says, Cmon, guys, we gotta move it, move it!
Like the crew, everybody, we use move
it, move it all the time. Its like our whole
familys favorite movie by far.
Once signed, it was a natural progression
that will should collaborate with
Oscar®-winning composer Hans Zimmer on the
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa score
and songs, duties which he also assumedsort
of on the spot.
The recording artist found himself in the
voiceover studio (as any actor would
voicing an animated character). The moment
when his character rises out of the water
and first glimpses Gloria was on the page in
front of him. will.i.am thought it would be
fun to rhyme something—and someone in the
session suggested that this special first
moment should feature a song.
for more clips and interviews, log onto:
http://www.blacktree.tv
Tags : Madagascar escape africa will.i.am yes we can move it hans zimmer blacktree tv |
