Shrek 2

As the name may, or may not suggest, this film is the sequel to Shrek and so features Shrek (Myers) the well-meaning and big-hearted Ogre, Donkey (Murphy) an overly talkative and irritating (yet adorable) donkey and an entire menagerie of purloined fairy-tale critters. The plot begins where the first film ended, with Shrek and his equally ogre-ish wife Fiona (Diaz) enjoying their honeymoon. On return to the swamp they are cordially invited to the land of Far Far Away where Fiona's parents await her.

The in-laws are, for reasons that become clear, unaware of their daughters choice of spouse and when Shrek and Fiona arrive they are greeted by a stunned silence. Shrek is not who Fiona's father (Cleese) had in mind for his daughter and he hires renowned assassin Puss In Boots (Banderas) to remove Shrek from the picture. What with Fiona's father wanting him dead, and Fiona's childhood dairies full of pictures of her very human prince charming, Shrek doesn't feel like he's good enough. So Shrek, Donkey and the cutest cat ever, set out to see The Fairy Godmother (Saunders) to try and make everyone happy, which is where things really get interesting.

If that plot description seemed complicated that's because it is. Shrek 2 has a lot more story behind it than the original, but once that story gives way to action this film really takes off. Nearly everything has improved from the first film, most notably the animation which now features individually rendered hair and incredibly realistic gestures. The range of acting talent this time is truly impressive as well, with some of the best-loved comic talents from both sides of the Atlantic, along with Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas and Rupert Everett.

Shrek 2 is slightly more predictable but just as funny as it's predecessor. As well as the first rate script the film also contains many references to other films, real world brands, logos and places. Frequently something crops up in the fairy tale kingdom that just makes you laugh because you know exactly what it's mocking.

If you feel like laughing go and see Shrek 2, it'll raise a smile in anyone, even second time around.

Nick Grills