A Close 2nd

Rating: 9/10 (26 May 2004)

Exiting the theater, I was engulfed in a strange mental cloud of sorts after having just watched Shrek 2. The experience was one of confusion: WHY CAN'T ALL SEQUELS BE THIS GOOD?
Its not like Dreamworks did anything that they weren't good at and knew how to deliver on, great comedy transmitted through excellent animation. Maybe directors should be required to do animation before they actually go out in the world and work with real people and a try to develop a real story. I think of all the sequels I have seen and some of them I absolutely cringe at the thought of. But Shrek 2 was a spectacular sequel, a close 2nd to its predecessor. And what's even better with this type of film as opposed to others is that children and adults alike can enjoy it. There is no need for cursing or sex or graphic violence for the movie to still be a huge hit at the box office. It's kind of like Bill Cosby's comedy. He made the audience laugh without cheapening his performance with vulgarity. That in my book made him a true comedian just as it makes Shrek and its sequel a truly enjoyable movie. I won't spoil you with the plot progression of Shrek 2. I am so confident that you will like it, that you should just go out and watch it to find out for yourself. Expect all of the great CG animation that you saw in the first, all the great characters (save that of the dragon and Farquuad), and all the great comedy. And this one's definitely a keeper for anyone's movie collection.