Shrek 2 starts off where the first one ended, Shrek (Michael Myers) and Fiona (The Princess - Cameron Diaz) head to the swamp to live. When they get there, they find they have a new roommate in their old mate Donkey (Eddie Murphy). Of course being married means donkey is told to leave as the honeymooners want to get on with their married life. Donkey reluctantly decides to leave and when he does, a messenger has arrived for Shrek and Fiona to go to FAR FAR AWAY LAND to visit her parents.
The only difference here is that her parents believe that Shrek is of course PRINCE CHARMING, the person who was believed to have rescued her according to the fairy tale. According to folk lore, she was to have her spell broken by the Prince.
On arrival in Far Far Away Land, Fiona and her new husband are welcomed by all the townsfolk and are left in shock when they find out the Princesses husband is an OGRE and not the handsome but dopey Prince Charming.
The King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews) are shocked, especially the King. The Fairy Godmother who makes all dreams come true (Played by the brilliant Jennifer Saunders) is annoyed that Prince Charming has not married Fiona as the story should end. She meets the King and tells him that all should be put right. Evil woman.
The King goes to find the greatest Assasin of them all -
PUSS IN BOOTS to take out Shrek. The Puss is played by the wonderful Antonio Banderas and is the best thing in this film, with his sparkling booties.
The story (otherwise totally spoilt by myself) continues........
Banderas and Saunders do a remarkable job in this film. Puss in boots is going to become a cult figure in animation after this, he really shines.
The film is good, not great but this I think is down to the plot (It is rather thin) and remember this is meant for children not people over the age of 20, so this could be why I thought it was thin.
Cleese and Andrews do an ok job as both The King and Queen. Diaz, Myers and Donkey are as you seen them in Shrek 1 - Donkey stealing mostly all the scenes until Puss in Boots arrives and then the master (PUSS) is at his best.
The animation is top notch as you would expect from Dreamworks. The running time is around 85 minutes and will keep the children well happy for this time.
Its not an improvement on the original, its more along the same lines. Some scenes are funny, especially the arrival of Puss and his lovely sad face which would even turn Saddam Hussein into Mother Theresa.
All in all, go see it and take the kids. You will have a fun 85 minutes at the cinema and it is a joy to watch just dont expect it to surpass or equal the original.
Mutter Chops rating : 8.5/10 ( A PUSS IN BOOTS SPECTACLE! )
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