See it - if only because pt.3 could be one too far

Rating: Null/10 (2 July 2004)

Watched it on UK release day, first performance and my first film after recovering from illness so it had to be good.
The original Shrek was the saviour of a really dismal summer (2001) with only Swordfish giving better entertainment and that was adults only. The sequel treads the careful line of jokes pitched above the heads of the moppets and sight gags for the kiddies and so we have a film which everyone can enjoy in spite of being a sequel.
Let's face it, these are fairy tales getting a modern spin, so I just suspended my disbelief and enjoyed it. It wasn't Citizen Kane nor should you expect that, just a great animated comedy chasing that new Oscar.
The movies referenced this time round are the Spider-Man kiss, Ghostbusters and one song quite knowingly reminds you of Beauty and The Beast- then again we are in fairytale country. It's pleasantly familiar and keeps you chuckling rather than the shockingly original laugh-out-loud first film. In the end though it manages a message that's actually very Disney - without banging you over the head with it and a lot less sentimentality.
The voice actors perform the script well,there's less of an acting performance to judge since it's animated, but the scriptwriters weren't afraid to have pauses while you admire the camera-work as if it were a live-action film in places. The animators are keen to remind you of the progression in technology with some improved slo-mo.
If you hated the first film? I doubt there's much to make you change your mind here but for the open minded or those who loved the first, Shrek 2's Generally a laugh and well worth watching and at 90 minutes easy on your concentration - I liked it, but like Austin Powers, will part 3 endanger the franchise? Back in two years to find out according to IMDb.