Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted [Music from the Motion Picture]

Personnel: Frank Ricotti, Paul Clarvis, Gary Kettel, Ian Thomas (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Daniel Kresco; Slamm Andrews.
Recording information: Air Studios, London.
Arrangers: Jasha Klebe; Stephen Hilton.
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, which finds the Central Park Zoo escapees joining a traveling circus and participating in animated hijinks across Europe, once again utilizes the talents of composer Hans Zimmer (Lion King, The Dark Knight) and a host of familiar pop stars to provide musical fuel for the film. Five of the thirteen tracks are Zimmer instrumentals, and while they may not be as memorable as anything from the Lion King, each piece dutifully projects the composer's mastery of the genre. Elsewhere, Katy Perry lends the soundtrack her 2010 smash hit "Firework," Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool and producer DCUP supply the collection with their international dance hit " We No Speak Americano," and the cast lend their voices to wild renditions of the Spice Girls' "Wannabe," Nelly's "Hot in Here," and of course, C+C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)." ~ James Christopher Monger