File:Skipper.PNGSkipper, 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. 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.
Rico- Psychotic and good with knives. 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, assuming that it took place before the actual movie as they are all still at the zoo, is unexplaned how the scar disappeared). 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 a named after the main Starship Troopers character. The new found scar in Christmas Caper may be a nod to commando Otto Skorzeny.
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. They also think the zoo is "some sort of whacked-out conspiracy" and that they were forcedly camouflaged as penguins there. 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 generalization of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq in which the United States took control of Iraq and created a government, which many believed to be a "puppet government".
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.
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)
