Shrek 2

The second bit, the talking packaging. It is funny, you press your down on the sign that the gingerbread man is holding (that says press me) and donkey says "Shrek and Donkey on another whirlwind adventure". When this is heard through the built in speaker there is also a light that appears behind donkeys teeth so it lights them up!

When you open the DVD case there is a Velcro pad on the side that when opened reveals a 3d pop up of the characters. The actual DVD case is inside the cardboard covering area around it and is accessed by sliding the DVD case up or down.

Right, now the actual film itself. I thought the first of the Shrek films was really really good and this one is just the same. The only thing I found with Shrek 2 was that the plot was not as strong as the first, but I'm sure this is because this is actually the first time I've watched Shrek 2. But the film is still as funny with famous voice-overs etc. There are a few scenes in the film that are very funny and you will not forget soon (hairball scene?).

The special features are quite good as well. The far far away idol is quite funny as well, which shows most of the characters from the films singing songs that are relevant to them in the story. The far far away idol is judged by no other than Mr. Simon Cowell. He gives comments on what he likes and doesn't like about the singers. After hearing all the songs and judges comments (Shrek, Fiona and Simon) you can pick who you think deserves to win far far away idol, which results in a different ending showing the winning characters celebration. I also found the how to draw special feature quite useful as well but I haven't actually tried to draw the characters!

This is a good DVD that has plenty of special features as well as a good script and fun for not only children but also adults of all ages. A good family film that deserves 5 stars.


A Bit Funnier Than the First   May 2, 2007
Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Shrek (Mike Myers) and his new bride Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are just settling down to their happy ever after when they get a summons. Fiona's parents (Julie Andrews and John Cleese) want to meet their new son-in-law. Shrek knows that their little secret will ruin the meeting. After all, who wants an ogre for a son-in-law, even if your daughter is one, too?

Against his better judgment, the two set out accompanied by Donkey (Eddie Murphy). When they reach Fiona's kingdom, Far Far Away, their reception is everything that Shrek feared it would be, which crushes Fiona.

Unbeknownst to them, danger is lurking in their future. Fiona's Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) had a deal with Fiona's father. Now the two will do whatever it takes to make that come true.

Can Shrek bring Fiona happiness? Will the evil plot succeed?

The first movie was the surprise hit of 2001, so a sequel was only natural. The first one was original, clever, and had a great message. This one isn't as original and is a variation on the same theme, but it is funnier. The jokes and cultural references are everywhere. It may make the movie dated in 10 years, but for now, it is hilarious.

All the major voice talent is back and again do a great job of bringing their characters to life. The new actors fit right in. Technology has advanced in the three years between movies, and it makes for a better movie this time around.

The only flaw with the film is that, once again, some of the laughter comes from crude jokes and suggestive situations. Since this movie aims at kids, that's a disappointment. Watch it before you let your kids see it to determine if you think it is appropriate for them.

Having said that, this movie will make anyone who watches it laugh.


The Perfect Sequel   November 24, 2004
CJ (UK)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Shrek and the gang are back in another very funny, very entertaining movie that the whole family will enjoy.

Following on neatly from the events of the first film, Shrek and Princess Fiona are now a couple and so Shrek has to meet the in-laws over in Far Far Away - a kind of fairytale Hollywood - where the King and Queen live. Naturally, Donkey tags along and nothing goes according to plan.

The acceptance of our heroes into this society is was always going to be difficult enough, but with Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother hatching their own plans to ensure a wedding is set-up between the prince and Fiona, it gets a whole lot worse.

The King is caught up in all of this and in desperation turns to sword-for-hire Puss In Boots in order to have Shrek and Donkey dealt with. Thankfully, he sees the error of his ways and teams up with our heroes as they embark on a quest to save the day.

The quota of gags in Shrek 2 is at least on a par with its prequel, and in many cases you cannot help but laugh out loud. Sharp one-liners, preposterous situations and endearing slapstick are the order of the day, and are far more hit than miss.

The voice casting doesn't hurt, with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz all returning. Antonio Banderas as Puss In Boots is absolutely fantastic and very, very funny, whilst others such as Jennifer Saunders and John Cleese do very solid jobs, fitting in brilliantly with the established cast.

The quality of animation is fantastic, but it is good to see that Dreamworks follow the same ethics as Pixar. The visuals are never more important than the story. They are a means to an end, and an ideal medium for all the sight gags and colourful characters that are crammed in. Repeated viewings reveal new things all the time, and just enhance the fun.

This special edition is a little too gimmicky. The talking packaging is amusing the first time and that's pretty much it. Inside the pop-up cardboard sleeve is a standard DVD case. Extras are good, with a crazy rip-off of Pop Idol, Far Far Away Idol, which is entertaining. There is a good mix for young and old, adding some decent, although not spectacular, extra value on top of the movie. For the price, I would have liked more quality.

Shrek 2 is a great sequel and well worth owning. Let's hope there's a Shrek 3, and that it is every bit as good as this!


Love the one you're with...   January 9, 2006
Kurt Messick (London, SW1)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

The story begins somewhat where the last Shrek film left off, with a twist.

Get used to there being a twist...

The story begins with the recitation of another standard fairy tale opening, that one might think as an ending, where Prince Charming (charmingly voiced by Rupert Everett) dashes through incredible perils to reach the unfortunate-cursed princess, Fiona, as his kiss is the only thing that will break the curse. The only problem here: when he arrives to kiss the fair princess, he is greeted by another story-book character who informs him she is on her honeymoon.

Honeymoon?

The stage is set for a frolic of fairy-tale proportions. The main characters are back - Shrek (Mike Myers) in his typical ogre self (who knew ogres spoke with muddled Celtic accents?); Fiona, every inch the ogre herself night and day (reprised by Cameron Diaz - remember the tale from the first film where she was beautiful by day and hideous by night), is blissful on her honeymoon with Shrek. They return home to be greeted by Donkey (once again the humourous Eddie Murphy), to almost immediately be summoned to Fiona's home by her parents, the king and queen, so that they may meet the husband (not quite the prince they were expecting) and be welcomed into the kingdom of Far, Far Away, which is, true to its word, far, far away (are we there yet? is the constant refrain during the journey).

It is quite delightful to imagine John Cleese and Julie Andrews as the king and queen; their characters do not imitate their features physically, but their standard screen personae come through their voices and characterisations. Rupert Everett as Prince Charming, the scheming social climber, is very well done, with typical British fop panache. However, there is no mistaking Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) as the Fairy Godmother (who, it turns out, is Prince Charming's mother, and given that it is Rupert Everett, well, enough said...) - the animation captures the twinkle in her eye and the sardonic smile as she holds the king to ransom for the secret that he hides (she once granted a wish to him, which is hinted at early on in the film - see if you can predict what it is!).

The king and queen are not surprisingly shocked to discover the ogre-ific state of their only daughter, not to mention the son-in-law; the king decides to do away with Shrek, hiring a hit man (in this instance, a hit cat), Puss-in-boots, voiced by an over-the-top Antonio Banderas. Attacking with the grace of a cat, he is nonetheless thwarted in his charge by a nasty hairball, and joins with the quest to find Happily Ever After-effects with Shrek and Donkey.

There are some good songs here, remakes of popular songs sung with style that befits a fairy-tale, medieval recreation of Hollywood/Hollyweird. Just as Fiona had her surprise chance to be an ogre in the first film, Shrek gets his chance to be drop-dead gorgeous in this film, by stealing the Fairy Godmother's potion for Happily Ever Afters. Donkey shares in this potion and becomes a dashing stallion. So, everyone will live happily ever after, right?

Right, but again, there's a twist (and I'm not going to tell you what it is).

There are lots of cameos - Larry King voices the ugly sister, and Joan Rivers voices her own characters as the red-carpet announcer at the royal banquet akin to the Oscar ceremonies. There are one-liners galore, so many it is hard to recall them all - take a notebook with you to the cinema!

One of the trademarks of Shrek is its homage to various other films - try to make all the connections - Flashdance, Lord of the Rings, Ghostbusters, you name it, it is satirised. The same holds true for various fairy tales - the three blind mice, little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, even Pretty Woman!

The animation quality is superb, and shows just how astonishingly lifelike modern computer-generated graphics have become. An interesting effect, rather like a cross between clay-mation types of physical movements and hand-drawn facial expressions, the type of animation here is approaching lifelike and realistic, again with the twist of being almost puppet-like, to fit the fairy-tale aspect of the film.

Stay through the credits! Why people get up and leave the cinema as soon as the names start I shall never understand, but they missed out the bonus scene at the end, that is well worth the wait (Banderas, as Puss-in-boots, heading off for the Kit-Kat Club, begins the scene, and it just goes on from there).

This is a film for children of all ages, with enough humour for adults to keep them interested, and a classic tale, with modern twists, to delight all audiences.


Can't wait for this.   October 12, 2004
A. Wright (Leeds, UK)
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is a brilliant film. From the hilarious jokes to the brilliant movie references, this film is a gem from start to finish. If you enjoyed the first film then this is definitely for you. If you didn't see the first film, this is still definitely for you. With all of your favourites from the first film like the charismatic Donkey (pop pop) played by Eddie Murphy, along with some fantastic new additions like Puss in Boots played by Antonio Banderas, this film is a winner, and I can't wait for Shrek 3.