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Shrek 2

Voice Performances: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders

Directors: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon

Reviewed by Chris Ching

"I kill for dangling white string!"

Disney has a habit of following up one of their hit animated movies with a sequel released to home video instead of theater. These significantly lower budgeted affairs appeal to the fans who loved the original movie, but hardly match the quality of their predecessors. DreamWorks' Shrek 2 is certainly a high budget flick, but it feel like one of those straight to video knockoffs. We waited three years for this?

The sequel starts right where Shrek left off. Mike Myers, everyone's favorite ogre with a brogue, and his "lovely" bride Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) have returned from their honeymoon to settle down in the swamp. No sooner then one can say "wedded bliss", the two are off to Fiona's hometown to meet her parents, the King and Queen of Far, Far Away (John Cleese and Julie Andrews). A little put off by the fact his daughter and new son-in-law are green skinned Ogres, Fiona's Pop teams up with an (evil) Fairy Godmother played by Jennifer Saunders to make the princess an offer she can't refuse. Enter Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), the FG's shallow but handsome son and Fiona's ex flame. Will the princess choose a "normal" life with Charming or a bug eating, mud bathing one with an antenna sprouting behemoth?

Oh gee, I wonder?

The trouble isn't that her choice is a no brainer, but that Shrek 2 is more or less the first movie all over again. The creators spend so much time coming up with cool pop culture references they appear to have forgotten to whip up a new story; so we get the same conflict of whether Fiona really does love Mr. Green. Not to sound too high brow (especially since we are still talking about a kid's movie), but 2 actually spoils the ending of the first Shrek by having our heroes go through the same exact problems. True love conquered all ... for about five minutes. Unlike Toy Story 2 which topped its predecessor, this sequel sticks to playing it safe.

"On the count of three... kill the donkey."

Aside from Puss in Boots performed by Antonia Banderas, none of the characters register the kind of warmth they did in the first Shrek. Worst of all is Eddie Murphy's Donkey who has gone from funny annoying to just annoying. Message to Shrek: kill it! And what's the point in hiring Julie Andrews to be the Queen and not give her anything to sink her teeth into. There isn't even a cheap Mary Poppins reference.

Even the animation hasn't made the quantum leap you'd expect in three years. Sure the textures and hair look better, but there is surprisingly no extended scene that makes you go "Whoa!' a la the Dragon Keep from the first film. Hey DreamWorks! That gust of wind you just felt is Pixar (and Finding Nemo) passing you by.

"My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time..."

Shrek 2 does rise to the challenge suspense-wise in the final twenty minutes with Shrek and his fairy tale posse storming the castle to foil the King's and the Fairy Godmother's plans. Also the soundtrack made up of new songs by artists like Counting Crows and Nick Cave is a wonderfully fresh one- a far cry from the sterile kiddie singalongs present in most animated movies.

No doubt Shrek 3 has been green lighted long ago, so I hope the third installment will make good on the promise of the first. Where things stand now, Shrek 2 is unnecessary summer movie viewing.

Note: Absurdly, the best part of the movie happens after the credits have been rolling a while, so stick around.

Rating:

(1 1/2 out of 4 stars)

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