So entertaining it's criminal

Rating: Null/10 (28 June 2004)

Despite myself, I liked Shrek 2. No, I will rephrase. I LOVED Shrek 2. From the countless film references (everything from The Fabulous Baker Boys to Ghostbusters) to the fleeting appearance of Joan Rivers, this film was a cinematic joy. Move over Disney, there's a new monster in town.
Shrek 2 starts where the first one ended. Fiona and Shrek, now a happily married couple (so happy, I'm- ahem- green with envy) decide to meet the in-laws (voiced by Julie Andrews and an always entertaining John Cleese). However, while the parents are coming to terms with the shock of seeing their daughter married to a green giant, a devilish plan is hatched by the Fairy Godmother (British television favourite, Jennifer Saunders) to get rid of Shrek, and force the lovely Fiona to marry Prince Charming (gleefully played by Rupert Everret). With additional voices coming from Antonio Banderas and Eddie Murphy, how could it go wrong?
Fourtunately, Shrek 2 never puts a foot wrong. I liked the first Shrek, but was somehow baffled why so many people fell head over heels in love with it. I agree, it was refreshingly different from other summer blockbusters, and all the more entertaining because of that. However, it did not in any way match any of Pixar's computer generated delights. This time, however, Dreamworks have easily managed the above, and manage to take a few catty sideswipes at rival Disney too.
The animation and voice acting is superb throughout. Frequently funny, Shrek manages to be suprisingly clever as well, taking digs at Disney, capitalism and infrequently, itself (in a knowingly post-modern way of course). Unlike Pixar's last movie, Finding Nemo, this one has so many highlights it is difficult to choose one to praise so highly. However, if I was pushed, I would go with the Fairy Godmother's rendition of "Hero".

In a summer of (so far) lacklustre, banal blockbusters (Van Helsing, Troy, The Day After Tomorrow) it's interesting to see that the most family friendly movies, (this, and Harry Potter's new adventure) are the best. Shrek 2 is criminally entertaining and quite simply, magical.