All Hail King Julien

All Hail King Julien is a vibrant, captivating animated series on Netflix, released between 2014 and 2017. This animation humorously recounts the quirky escapades of King Julien, the lively and high-spirited ring-tailed lemur from DreamWorks Animation's widely known Madagascar franchise. Entertaining for both children and adults, the series is a prequel set before the events of the original Madagascar film series and details out the exploits of the eccentric, loveable party-animal King Julien, focusing on the king’s reign before the zoosters from New York crashed into King Julien's realm.

King Julien XIII, brilliantly voiced by actor Danny Jacobs, is a self-absorbed, fun-loving lemur who often creates sheer chaos due to his juvenile tendencies, which often land him and his kingdom in absurd and hilarious situations. His memorable catchphrase "I like to move it, move it!" clearly signals his preference for parties over administrative duties. Regardless of his often irrational and peculiar judgements, he manages to retain the respect and loyalty from his subjects owing to his infectious optimism and jovacious spirit.

The series features other lovable characters such as Maurice, King Julien's sophisticated and level-headed advisor, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. Maurice often functions as the voice of reason in King Julien's wild and up-side-down kingdom. However, his suggestions are usually ignored, leading to some of the ridiculous events that contribute to the comedy of the show. Then there's Mort, the adorable yet somewhat annoyingly obsessive fan of King Julien, portrayed by Andy Richter. Mort’s infatuation with King Julien's feet becomes a running gag throughout the series.

Prominent among the supporting characters is Clover, voiced by India de Beauford, who is King Julien’s incredibly serious, absolutely loyal and competent head of security. She exhibits a strong devotion toward her duties and is often found to maintain order amidst the misguided decisions of King Julien. Additionally, King Julien's Uncle King Julien XII, the previous ruler, and other entertaining animals make occasional appearances, adding more layers of laughter and intrigue to the already bubbling storyline.

All Hail King Julien distills a unique blend of comedy, adventure, splashes of lessons about leadership, and succinct social commentary, all of which is enhanced by quality animation. Each episode carries an independent story, making it easier for newer viewers to navigate the series if they jump in halfway. Yet, it also subtly builds an overarching narrative, fostering a sense of continuing the journey, which keeps the viewers engrossed for the long run.

The bright and vivid computer animation is perfect for depicting the colourful and exotic world of Madagascar. The commendable effort put into the show by the animation team effectively brings out the uncommonly imaginative and engaging world of King Julien and his compatriots which is laden with dreamy landscapes, rich, colourful flora, and an eclectic mix of odd and intriguing creatures.

Interestingly, apart from its slapstick and nonsensical humor, the show doesn't shy away from dealing with themes of responsibility, friendship, love, power dynamics, and complex social issues. It uses its broad array of comic animal characters to satirically mimic traits often seen in human society, subtly highlighting the consequences of decisions taken without proper forethought.

The music score of All Hail King Julien is a befitting backdrop to the vivacious lifestyle and the tropical island setting of the series. An array of catchy tunes and cleverly crafted musical numbers add drama, enhance the narrative, and set the mood for various scenes, making music a character in itself in the storytelling process.

All Hail King Julien is a fabulous animated show to enjoy, whether you are a kid who loves animated animals and bright, colorful visuals, or an adult who appreciates well-structured satirical comedy mixed with moments of irony, parody, and wit. Combining excellent writing, inspired voice acting, comic timing, and engaging storylines, All Hail King Julien is filled to the brim with laughter, fun and heartfelt moments that all serve to make it a delightful viewing experience.