MURPHY IN MONSTER HIT

Sequels are notoriously difficult beasties, a bit like ogres really. Often vehicles to make yet more cash for studios by simply churning out the same initial formula, most are destined to disappoint. I caught the original movie mid-Atlantic whilst en-route to Florida so the chance to see this version on the big screen was a real draw, together with the top quality of the original global phenomenon of Shrek. And so it was that I bundled the family off to see Shrek2 on preview weekend in the UK.
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Director: Andrew Adamson
Cert: U
Run time: 92 mins

This domestic bliss is broken when the twosome receive a Royal summons to return to a Land, Far Far Away to get the blessing of the King and Queen following their recent marriage. Having endured the endlessly repetitive “Are we their yet?” courtesy of the Murphyised Donkey, they arrive to a muted reception when the good people of what looks and feels to all intents and purposes like a cartoon Hollywood realise that the pair aren’t quite what they expected. A fitful family dinner and the introduction of a vengeful fairy Godmother introduce the menace into the plot with the latter planning to dupe the princess into loving, Prince Charming, her son rather than Shrek courtesy of one of her myriad of potions. This is only after the King has hired a hitman/hitpuss in the shape of the Spanish, swordsman, Puss-in-Boots who fails miserably only to befriend our hero, Shrek and become his ally (much to the chagrin of Donkey). So will the Fairy Godmother’s evil plan pay off, will Shrek be ousted and will the King’s murky secret be revealed as blackmailed by TFGM? Well, what do you think but this is a children’s film, you know?

First of all, the CGI is breathtaking. I had to stare hard at the quality of the animation, what with clothing that looked remarkably real even down to fine creases. There’s ample opportunity for the creators to show off and how with fantastic dresses and super defined close ups of Fiona’s and Prince Charming’s faces, in particular. In the tradition of Toy Story, the animations have more than a passing resemblance to the actors employed as voice overs and John Cleese, Cameron Diaz and Mike Myers were instantly recognisable. I have to confess that I thought Prince Charming was Keanu Reeves rather than the aristocratically smooth, Rupert Everett but whoever said that I had 20/20 vision these days?

Just to add to the pizzazz was the undeniable nods to Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and various other fairy tales. These have been suitably updated for modern audiences with the laughter inducing sleight of hand that showed Princes Charles, Justin Timberlake and the spooky mirror from Slow White in a comic light. Blink and you’ll miss them but there they are once again underlining the minutiae of the script.

Drawbacks? I couldn’t really think of too many. I suppose the premise was simplistic and you could see where the story was going so no real surprises. The moral remained the same i.e. beauty is only skin deep and the finale was pretty predictable but all of this was outweighed by a fabulous musical score that carried along a plot that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.

To tell you the truth, by the end I felt like cheering. This was £13 well spent on a family ticket to see a great movie in all the splendour of the big screen. Would I recommend this? With Shrek3 and 4 in production, a dynasty is being established but all I can say is that Shrek2 is one of the most uplifting movies of the year and, dare I say it, a monster hit.