Merely Good--Not inspired

Rating: 7/10 (19 May 2004)

Shrek was funny, fresh, and slightly off kilter. It was a breath of fresh air and that rarest of all animals: a kids movie with genuine laughs for grown ups.
Shrek II has plenty of great gags and visual jokes--but that is all they are. Just gags. The freshness is gone, and the story carries little weight. In the first movie, the jokes were funny AND they revealed character and moved the plot. Here they are one unconnected laugh after another.
You will enjoy Shrek II. It is funny. You will probably laugh more often than your kids. But it is just not special, surprising, engaging movie the original was.