One of DreamWorks Animation's best sequels with perfect comedy and compelling drama

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2020)

Considering it's been 15 (now 16) years, this sequel still holds up to this day. The music score from Harry Gregson Williams (who co-composed the score of the first film with John Powell) reprises the same themes with new motifs very well and fit the atmosphere and drama. The animation is stupendous with gorgeously detailed locations and neat expressions from not only the main protagonists, but the other side characters as well.
In fact, the characters are great. Shrek is still the lovable ogre we know and love as he experiences relationship issues with Fiona upon meeting her parents of Far Far Away. Fiona also gets another nice character arc due to whether she would return to her beautiful princess form or remain an ogre forever. Donkey is still the wacky sidekick, but he's still endearing and funny. The new characters are nice additions. King Harold and Queen Lillian of Far Far Away are interesting due to their connection to Fiona and the reason why she got sent away to the Dragon's Keep. Prince Charming, who appeared in the beginning of this film, is not only funny, but an interesting contrast to Shrek. And then there's Puss in Boots and Fairy Godmother, the best characters in the entire franchise. The swashbuckling kitten is so lovable and delivers the comedy perfectly as well as providing some sincere drama while Fairy Godmother makes for a great villain when compared to Lord Farquaad.
And last but not least, the writing which is well thought-out and compelling. It expands on the original film and does something new by providing compelling character arcs for Shrek and Fiona. Also, the romance retains the heart of the original very well. It also has some of the best comedy in animation history including a trumpet fanfare version of Hawaii Five-O, and everything involving Puss in Boots and Fairy Godmother. Some of the pop songs fitted the scenes very well particularly the action sequence where Shrek, Donkey, and Puss escape with the Happily Ever After potion and the Fairy Godmother's cover version of Holding Out for a Hero creates tension in the film's climax perfectly.
Overall, Shrek 2 is not only one of DreamWorks Animation's best films, it's also one of the best animation sequels with perfect comedy and compelling drama that expands on the first Shrek movie. Recommended.