Shrek 2 - A whole new ball game
 Aug 8th, 2004
(Aug 9th, 2004)
Advantages:
Funny, great celeb voices, amazing animation
Disadvantages:
It's not Shrek 1
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to similar films?
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  lush_lozenge
About me:
Apologies for my absense. Have had uni exams & now that's over, I just have two jobs, coursework, un...
Member since:02.02.2003
Reviews:37
Members who trust:7
Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: helpful 
I loved Shrek so I couldn't wait when I found out that there was going to be a sequel. The way that they twisted all these classic fairytales in such a fantastic way was hilarious and the animation was great. Not to mention Eddie Murphey as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Mike Myers as the bizarrely Scottish Shrek, the big green ogre of the title. So, like I said, I couldn't wait for the sequel. Before I finally got round to seeing it, I was a little concerned about how they were going to make Shrek 2 work. Don't get me wrong, I think the animation is amazing but what I mean is what the writers were going to do with the story. Whereas the first one was attempting to turn classic fairytales and Disney stories on their head, they couldn't really do this again. And they haven't. Instead, they've delved into how the marriage between Shrek and Fiona works after the fairytale wedding. This ultimatley results in meeting the parents, the King and Queen of Far Far Away (the wonderful John Cleese and Julie Andrews) who aren't exactly pleased that their daughter hasn't married Prince Charming (the perfectly cast Rupert Everrett), not to mention that she's now a big green ogre. On top of this, the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders, still as hilarious as ever) is sticking her oar in to protect the interests of her son, Prince Charming. Ultimately, this introduces Antonio Bandaras as a quite Zorro-ish Puss In Boots.
Puss is hired by the King to kill Shrek in a trap after he's basically blackmailed by the Fairy Godmother. When Puss In Boots fails, Shrek realises what the King has done and heads to the Fairy Godmother's potion plant. Once there, both Shrek and Donkey drink some of her Happy Ever After potion. This ultimatley turns Donkey in to a white steed and Shrek into a strapping human (who looks a lot like Chancellor Gordon Brown now I think about it....). Unfortunatley, the trio are stopped by the Fairy Godmother and imprisoned. In the meantime, Prince Charming is introduced as the human version of Shrek. Although Fiona is suspicious, the King leads her to believe that he really is her husband. Luckily, back at the swamp, Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man and the Blind Mice are watching the Medieval version of Cops and see Shrek get arrested. But will they get to Far Far Away in time to save Shrek? Will Fiona realise that Charming is not her husband? Will the King be honest with his daughter? Will I stop asking so many questions? As for the story, it's all well written with some great jokes - both verbal and visual - but ultimatley, it was never going to have the freshness or the impact of the original. Personally, I almost felt that the film was quite stretched in a way. Some of the jokes fell a little flat and the nods at recent films (like the upside down kiss in Spiderman) don't work as well as the original's Disney mickey taking. Of course, I think it's universally recognised that sequels are never as good as the original, except for the Godfather II obviously.
In comparsion to other films, Shrek 2 is still way ahead in the game but it will of course always be compared to the superior original. All the cast are excellent and, again, the animation is breath taking so if you haven't seen it yet then please do. It's a much better film than most of the Hollywood rubbish churned out these days. Enjoy!
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![Shrek [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78533830.jpg)
by (7%):
30.10.2004 00:33
I wasn't keen on this ... Philippa. X
09.08.2004 15:06
I loved the first one, not seen the 2nd yet.
09.08.2004 00:48
A fantastic film. I really enjoyed this. Maureen