This is half-pie.

Becky reckoned she had some work to do on the laptop this morning for Play Centre, and her having discovered there was a 10:30am showing of Madagascar meant that us three, me and the girls, were unceremoniously bustled out the door at about 10am.

Bella and Rosa were actually quite pleased, once they got out the door that is. I wasn’t so sure, as I was having a reasonably relaxed Sunday morning up until that point. But the girls were less pleased when we got to the top of the stairs only to find that the car’s battery was flat. (That’ll be the last time that Bella will play with the car’s internal light.)

So we had to come back home again and wait for Roadside Rescue. Cue tears from small girls.

Later on, after Rosa had her nap, we all went out again, with Becky this time. The 3:15pm showing at the Regent was all but empty. Which was just as well, as towards the end as Rosa got completely bored and started wandering about, screaming banshee-like whenever she was restrained in any way.

Bella loved it though, laughing out loud at the some more slapstick scenes. She was absorbed right the way through, which was more than could be said for me. (Rosa and I have a lot in common. She looks like a mini-me, for one.)

I thought it was crap. Too talky, weak story, so-so animation, and not funny enough. Some bits just went on too long. Sure, most kids between three and maybe seven will like it… but really, you’d be better off having your six thousandth showing of Finding Nemo at home and save yourselves the not-inconsiderable dosh required to take your nearest and dearest to Madagascar.

Or maybe we’ve just been spoiled by Pixar.