Not as sparkling as the original but still very good

Rating: Null/10 (5 September 2004)

This one was hardly going to be as fresh as the first film, but it still manages to entertain.
Following on from the previous film, we see Fiona and Shrek living happily in their swamp having just come home from their honeymoon. Donkey's holding the fort in their absence and when they get back he doesn't *really* want to leave, citing 'problems' with his missus, Dragon. No sooner do they force him out of the door when Fiona's parents (She's a princess, remember) wish to meet her Pince Charming for a dinner and ball...
Shrek 2 features the same 3 core voice-cast as Shrek, namely Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Murphy manages to sound every bit as raucous as he was before, and Myers puts in a great shift again, but Cameron Diaz isn't quite as effective as she was earlier. She seems a little outclassed by every one else. Newcomers include a fantastic Antonio Banderas as Shrek's 'assassin' Puss in Boots, Jennifer Saunders having a whale of a time as Fairy Godmother, and a decent replacement for the now departed (Unfortunately) John Lithgow in John Cleese as Fiona's king father.
The comedy element is simply not as prevalent in Shrek 2 as it was in Shrek, relying far more on sentiment and drama than laughs. However, it is only the last two thirds this is a problem during; the first third is absolutely riotous in places. Just a pity this wasn't kept up.
Essentially this is the main downfall of Shrek 2 - for all its technical brilliance (Yes, it looks fantastic again) and polished performances, it takes itself just a little bit seriously and loses marks as a result. The intrinsic lack of freshness doesn't help it either.
It's still superb entertainment, but it just isn't as good as its precursor. Could it *ever* have been?