SHREK 2
Directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon
In theatres
(***)
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Written By: Ryan Silver
   The art of computer animation has come so far in such a short time. Remember the water creature in The Abyss (1989)? It all seems so primitive when one compares it to Monsters Inc (2001), Finding Nemo (2003) and the first Oscar winning animated feature Shrek (2001). There is no doubt that classical animation, hand drawn animation has taken a solid back set to computer animation, as studios fall over themselves trying to create the next animated masterpiece. Making the comparison to Brother Bear (2003) and anything computer animated is futile, computer animation offers a great deal more opportunity for depth and visuals. The recent parting of ways between Disney and animation leader Pixar should create quite a war within the industry as no doubt other studios will try to gain Pixar’s services.
 
  Shrek (2001) was an incredible hit when first released, finding first a massive audience in movie theatres, and then later becoming a DVD phenomenon. An animation masterpiece, I cannot imagine the first meeting with the creative team, when the studio says to them that a sequel is a must. How do you begin top perfection?
 
  Well, you don’t. You cannot, and that is clear in Shrek 2, which while being enormously enjoyable and very funny, is not what the first film was. How could it be? We now know the characters very well, many of the jokes in the first film cannot be repeated, and the first picture left very little room for a sequel. That the makers of the film have even found a way to make a sequel is admirable. The truth be told, the premise is pretty thin. Shrek (Mike Myers) and his bride ogre Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are newlyweds and journey to the castle of her parents for a visit, where King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) are understandably horrified at the turn of events which has seen their beloved daughter marry an ogre and become on herself. This is certainly not what Daddy intended!! What does Daddy do? Make it right.
 
  With a little help from the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) whose son Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) was supposed to rescue and marry Fiona, a deadly assassin, Puss ‘n Boots (Antonio Banderas) is soon hot after Shrek to make things right.
 
  Once again loaded with pop-culture references, and ample shots at Disney, Shrek 2 will appeal to both young and old. Eddie Murphy is again hysterically funny as the Donkey, just barely stealing the show from a wickedly funny Banderas, who gives the best performance of his career as Puss. Myers and Diaz acquit themselves well as Shrek and his bride, but there is really nothing new for them to do with one another of those around them. How many times do we have to hear how annoying Donkey is from the big green guy?
  
The casting of Julia Andrews as Lillian was a stroke of absolute genius as she brings a regal sense to the Queen, and just the right edge of nastiness.

   Will the film perform? Sure it will. I have seen it once and am headed back to the theatre bon the weekend to see it with my girls, which is where I will find hundreds of other parents doing the same thing. After repeated viewings of the first Shrek (2001) on DVD over the last three years, most of us will welcome the chance to see the film with our kids, and listen to them begin to demand for the film on DVD. It is fun, but at no point does it take the art of computer animation or storytelling for that matter to a higher level. Let’s face it, Dreamworks made this film because they realize the franchise is massive, and I will not one bit surprised to hear of a Shrek 3 and 4 in the near future.










 
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