Shrek 2

When the original Shrek was released in 2001, I must have been the only eleven year old across Britain who didn't like it. I can't fully remember what it was about the movie that didn't appeal to me, but I think the main reason was that I just didn't care for the two main characters, Shrek and Fiona. And even now, with the release of a sequel three years on, I still don't. Shrek has his moments but seems boring when put next to Murphy's hilarious Donkey, and Fiona...well, it's almost like the writers just gave up on her when writing 'Shrek 2', instead cleverly focusing on the supporting players. These wonderfully eccentric characters, though all underused, are what save the movie from the fate of its predecessor.

First and foremost comes Puss-in-Boots, Antonio Banderas' wonderfully ridiculous feline assasin, who steals every one of his scenes but is criminally underused. Jennifer Saunders is also delightfully evil as the Fairy Godmother, and John Cleese and Julie Andrews make a fairly believable and likeable couple as Fiona's parents. Rupert Everett is the only weak link - although, in fairness to the man, it's half his voice and half bad writing that ruins his character. Donkey is as funny as ever - so he has his bad moments, but usually strikes the right notes.
 
The film itself is no great leap forward from the first, especially animation-wise, but is a lot of predictable fun from start to finish, some of its best moments coming with the brief jokes thrown in for the parents. **** out of 5.