Shrek 2: Cruise Control

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2004)

The musical numbers aren't funny, inspired, or even any good; the 'reinventing' of signs and logos, while funny, are nothing we haven't already seen on "The Simpsons," a thousand times; and the clever, creative soundtrack of the first film is watered down by many bands who are thrown in just to sell a few more records, and not because they have particularly interesting voices, or the talent of Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen or even Joan Jett.
The first one was a fairy tale; this one is just a wacky comedy, with dull, lifeless musical numbers that won't appeal to anyone over the age of seven. (Ricky Martin?! Were the Spice Girls too expensive?) I appreciate the adult jokes thrown in with the kids stuff, but nothing is worth hearing Eddie Murphy sing. Puss in Boots is funny, the Fairy Godmother isn't, and while the animation is beautiful... the movie itself is just as good as it can possibly be, without being as good as the original.