Penguins (Madagascar)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Madagascar Penguins, from the film, Madagascar, are a group of four penguins who believe they are spies. Though they all have different abilities, they are all skilled in gymnastics and martial arts. They also starred in The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper, a short film directed by Gary Trousdale and written by Michael Lachance.
Contents |
[edit] The Penguins
-
Skipper, also known as Joe-The leader of the group, He seems to be rounder than the rest of the penguins. He is good at barking out orders, naming plans and slapping. His primary influence seems to be Skipper Jonas Gumby ("The Skipper"), a fictional character from the sitcom Gilligan's Island. He is voiced by the director of the movie, Tom McGrath, who based his portrayal of Skipper's voice on Charlton Heston.
- Kowalski-The smartest and tallest of the penguins, sometimes referred to as "Lt. Kowalski" (usually in the commentaries with the penguins). He forms plans for the group and usually takes notes for Skipper. He was possibly named after Charles Kawalsky from the Stargate movie, or the character played by Del Monroe in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He is Voiced by Chris Miller.
- Private, also known as Ryan-Distinguishable by his googly eyes and soft British accent, he is the youngest of the group. Good at cracking codes, he is often slapped by the Skipper. Also take notes for the Skipper. He is voiced by Christopher Knights. In the Christmas Caper short, he was the one captured by the old lady. His name is probably a reference to his 'rank' among the group of penguins and a play on the movie Saving Private Ryan (also from DreamWorks).
- Rico-Psychotic knife wizard and explosives expert. Can store various items in his stomach (like the dynamite stick in the Christmas Caper short). Also seems to be an excellent swimmer (he is the only penguin seen swimming). He has dark circles under his eyes. Had a mohawk and scar on his face in the Christmas Caper (which generates some inconsistency as the short took place before the actual movie as they are all still at the zoo, and he did not have any scar on the movie). The only real words known in his vocabulary are "Eggnog" and "Ka-boom." It is suggested he speaks an Asian language, probably Japanese. Voiced by John DiMaggio. Possibly named after the main Starship Troopers character. The new found scar in Christmas Caper may be a nod to commando Otto Skorzeny.
[edit] Organization
The Penguins act like they are either spies, Special Forces or Navy SEALs. They are all skilled in combat of all kinds, though it is unknown where they learned it. They seem to think they are part of a secret government agency. How they end being in the zoo is summed up by the quote "We don't belong here, It's all some kind of wacked out conspiracy". Skipper and the rest of the crew want to return to Antarctica (though this goal is destroyed when they reach Antarctica and discover that it is a frozen wasteland with the quote "Well, this sucks."). According to "Penguin Chat" (a special feature, in which they show scenes with the penguins and commentaries by Skipper, Kowalski, and Private), they claim Madagascar "New Antarctica" and discussed a plan to take over by getting rid of the old regime and placing in a puppet government, which they would control. This seems to be a satire or a parody of the Central Intelligence Agency and of spies, who are often rumored to be involved in various plots and coup attempts.
[edit] Trivia
- The Old Lady who captures Private in The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper also played a cameo part in Madagascar as the lady who assaulted Alex the lion (and Melman the giraffe briefly) with her bag in Grand Central Station.
- Rico is the only penguin character that doesn't speak English in Madagascar - his only line is "hai" (a Japanese word that means "yes"), while cutting the fish. In The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper, Rico speaks English - saying "eggnog", and later "kaboom".
- Rico's scar & hair style in The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper short make him almost look like Dr. Drakken from Disney's Kim Possible, who is also voiced by John DiMaggio.
- On the Madagascar DVD, the penguins provide their own commentary on their scenes. When Private is struggling to operate a computer, Skipper comments, "You told me you knew Linux, Private!". This is a reference to Tux, a penguin who is the mascot for the Linux operating system.
[edit] Quotes
- Screw you guys...I'm goin' home! (Skipper)
- You didn't see anything... (Skipper)
- Hoover Dam! (Skipper)
- Grand Coulee Dam! (Skipper)
- Shiitake Mushrooms! (Skipper)
- No more Mr. Cute and Cuddly. (Skipper)
- Eggnog at 2100 hours, writing our names in the snow at 2105... (Skipper)
- He's one of us, men. You all know the penguin credo. (Skipper) ...Never bathe in hot oil and Bisquick? (Kowalski)
- [Eats some snow] Mmm... Adrenaline, sweat and sardines. These tracks are fresh, sir! (Kowalski)
- Captain's log, embarking in hostile environment. Kowalski, we need to win the hearts and minds of the natives. Rico, we'll need special tactical equipment. * We're gonna face extreme peril. Private probably won't survive. (Skipper)
- We've been ratted out, boys. (Skipper)
- Holy Butterball! (Skipper)
- You, higher mammal! Can you read? (Skipper)
- You, quadruped! Sprechen sie English? (Skipper)
- Can you keep a secret, my monochromatic friend? (Skipper)
- Cute and cuddly boys ...cute and cuddly. (Skipper)
- Skipper! Don't you think that we should tell them that the boat ran out of gas? (Private) Nah ...just smile and wave boys. Smile and wave. (Skipper)
- Where are the people? (Gloria) We killed them and ate their livers. (Skipper)
- We don't belong here, It's all some kind of wacked out conspiracy! (Skipper)
- Africa! That ain't gonna fly! (Skipper)
- Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave. (Skipper)
- The kitty loves the fishy! (Skipper)
- Let's get this tin can turned around! (Skipper)
- Well boys, it's gonna be ice cold sushi for breakfast! (Skipper)
- 10 o'clock men, Blend! Blend! Blend! (Skipper)
- What comes down must go up! (Skipper)
- [Crashing through window] Santa Clause has come to town! (Skipper)
- And me, Skipper? (Private)
- Quadruped, canine, 2 O'Clock! (Skipper)
- Ka-boom! (Rico)
- Rico enough with the dynamite (Skipper)
- Hey, I know you two! Where's that pyschotic lion and our monochromatic friend? (Skipper)
- Hoover Dam! We're still in New York! Abort! Dive! Dive! Dive! (Skipper)
- Foosa Halt! (Skipper)
- Well this sucks! (Private)
