Director:
Andrew Adamson

Cast:
Mike Myers
Cameron Diaz
Eddie Murphy
Antonio Banderas

Official URL:

http://www.shrek2.com

Country: USA
Rating: PG-13
Studio Name: DreamWorks Pictures
Running Time: 2 hr 0 mins
Release Date: May 19, 2004

Critics's Rating:
(3 1/2 Reels) 

May 19, 2004

By Veronica Mixon

They’re back! Your favorite troll couple and their animal sidekick Donkey have returned in this eagerly awaiting sequel and “Shrek 2” is excellent! Frankly, I was worried. When Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) were summoned by Fiona’s parents, the king and queen of Far Far Away, they arrive in a magical land that’s an outrageous take on Hollywood. But the filmmakers have replaced Shrek’s acid tongue with a quirky send-up of everything that we’re currently obsessed with in La-La Land. It is a visual delight and you really need to sit through the film twice to catch all of the jokes. While Shrek battles with the king (John Cleese) and queen (Julie Andrews), there’s a plot afoot to get Fiona hitched to Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) by a wicked Fairy Godmother voiced by the British star of Absolutely Fabulous Jennifer Saunders. Ms. Saunders nearly steals the show because her Fairy Godmother acts like Tony Soprano, has more businesses than Martha Stewart and knows secrets about everyone like J. Edgar Hoover. She’s deliciously evil and totally devoted to her narcissistic son. What inspiring casting on the part of the filmmakers!

However, Shrek and Fiona are truly in love and totally devoted to each other. And, Shrek is still so charming that when the Fairy Godmother dispatches a feline hitman, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to kill him, the wily cat teams up with Shrek much to the chargin of Donkey (Eddie Murphy). “The role of annoying animal sidekick is taken!” he tells Puss. Banderas gives a great comic performance as the hitman who loves the ladies.

Shrek 2 still possesses the wonder of loves and friendship. Shrek’s love for Fiona is still the glue to this charming animated tale and it’s nice to know that everything hasn’t gone stale. I can only imagine what a third installment will entail.

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