Movie Review by Vivienne Messenger
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese
Directors: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon
SHREK 2 opens with a recap of what’s happened so far. Shrek (voiced by the very talented Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are returning from their honeymoon on route to Shrek’s cottage with their friend Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in tow – of course!
Blissfully in love and with eyes only for each other their senses are somewhat dulled to Donkey’s incessant chatter but after carrying his bride across the threshold its too much even for Shrek who bluntly tells Donkey to get lost. Seconds later their peace is shattered by the untimely arrival of a messenger from the King of the Far Far Away kingdom (Princess Fiona’s father) inviting the newly weds to a ball in his daughter’s honour to celebrate her marriage.
Thus their idyllic matrimonial harmony begins to be pressured by circumstances beyond their control as Shrek is strongly opposed to ever meeting his in-laws, the King (the instantly recognizable voice of John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews) of Far Far Away, who he knows will hate him on site, but resigns himself to going against his better judgement. To the accompaniment of hundreds of “Are we there yet?” from a very bored Donkey grating on their ears, Shrek and the Princess make the l o n g journey to Far Far Away. As the tale unfolds with further meddling from the interfering King in cahoots with a scheming Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) intent on seeing her son Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) married to the princess instead, their marital bliss slips towards marital disharmony.
This is pure entertainment from start to finish with an inventive and winning screenplay peppered with gags and one-liners that will have you rocking in your seat with laughter, and is brilliantly delivered by an excellent ensemble cast. There are outstanding performances from Eddie Murphy and his brilliant, fast-talking banter, Jennifer Saunders as the formidable Fairy Godmother and Antonio Banderas as the artful assassin, Puss In Boots complete with a memorable MISSION IMPOSSIBLE sequence.
The CGI sets a high standard like its predecessor SHREK and is a visual masterpiece.
This is one of the must see summer blockbusters, for everyone, not just the kids!
