If only all animation films directed at children were this good...

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2004)

Shrek 2's writing and directing team prove they haven't run out of ideas in this pacy, hilarious feature  which manages to deliver a positive message without being saccharine. The film's is a delight from start to finish  with the finest cast ever to grace an animation feature. Following on from the 2001 box office smash Shrek 1, Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are now married and head off to meet her parents in The Land of Far Away  accompanied by Eddie Murphy's Donkey of course. John Cleese and Julie Andrews play Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of Far Away. Far Away's a parody of Hollywood  it's fast-paced and fake and even has its name spelled out in giant letters. The CGI is more sophisticated three years on, and we have better villains: Jennifer Saunders is perfectly cast as an Ab Fab-inspired fairy godmother  heading up a giant fairy corporation  with a sulky Rupert Everett as her son, the Prince Charming that was supposed to marry Princess Fiona. And the Gingerbread Man's back, as are the debonair blind mice. But the pick of this cast has to be Antonio Banderas, in the role of his life, Puss in Boots. This feisty, manipulative cat  and his banter with Donkey  is the highlight of the film.
Shrek 2 is recommended for all ages, and a must-see for the big screen. But if you haven't seen Shrek 1, watch it first to whet your appetite. Four stars