Quite Good, But Doesn't Hold A Candle To The Original

Rating: 8/10 (21 June 2019)

It's mostly really good, but nowhere near the level of the original Shrek. It's noticeably lacking in the more quiet and surpsisingly adult moments that made its predecessor so rewatchable. That's not to say that Shrek 2 is particularly juvenile, but the grit that made the first Shrek so memorable and, in my opinion, a masterpiece of animation, is gone. There are genuinely awe inspiring moments in that film, but there aren't really any here, competent as it is.
That's not to say that this film is bad. The more Pop tone is still executed quite well and Shrek himself is a bit more fleshed out as a character than he was in the original. It's genuinely emotional stuff watching him put himself through the ringer emotionally, mentally and physically just to make Fiona happy. Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots is one of the best things to happen to the franchise (Ditto Rupert Everett as Prince Charming. The guy seriously knows how to play campy villains, what can I say?) and the Fairy Godmother makes for a truly sinister and despicable villain. The "I Need A Hero" musical number is even better than you remember.
Also, the soundtrack introduced me to Frou Frou. So it gets major points for that.