Not so far, far away...
Rating: 7/10
Running Time: 93 minutes
US Certificate: PG UK Certificate: U
Swamp-dwelling greenie Shrek might be one of the most boorish, unsightly and almost definitely stinky characters to have come out of Hollywood over the last four or five years, but he must surely also rank as one of the most likable. So its hardly surprising that those highly talented individuals at Dreamworks have worked so painstakingly on bringing us a sequel worthy of carrying the name.
When last we left the Mike Myers-voiced fairytale ogre, he was heading happily off into the sunset with true love and brand new missus Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and the pair were all set to live happily ever after. But its not long before theyre having their first round of marital difficulties and as so often seems to be the case its provoked by a trip to visit the in-laws.
This is a marvellous little bundle of laughs, featuring a nice mixture of old favourites (including Eddie Murphy as the voice of the ever-irritating but strangely adorable Donkey) and gleefully observed new characters (among them John Cleese and Julie Andrews as the disapproving King and Queen of Far Far Away, Jennifer Saunders as the meddlesome Fairy Godmother and, best of all, Antonio Banderas with a swashbuckling interpretation of Puss In Boots).
True, its not as good as the first one. The spark provided by the original idea is no longer present, and the storyline this time round isnt quite as clever. But its obvious that everyone involved really has put their hearts into making this a success, and seeing them pull it off is a genuine delight. Quite simply, Shrek 2 is a movie thats impossible not to like and who could ask for more than that?
It's Got: A slightly-pervy Pinocchio wearing girlies knickers. And this has got a U certificate???!!
It Needs: To be watched with an eagle-eye to catch all those references to other big screen flicks including Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Wizard of Oz, Mission Impossible, E.T. Ghostbusters, Spiderman and a whole host of others.
Summary
Not quite as good as the first one, but guaranteed to make you smile, smile, smile all the way home.