I was not a fan of the original Shrek film. I found it a little tedious, repetitive and rather predictable. In many regards it was a fairytale film, and coming from Hollywood I should have accepted the predictability factor. Even so, the pace of the film, the rudimentary jokes and the tepid characterisation provided little in the way of engaging entertainment.

The marvel which bestowed it’s huge box office success, and followed by DVD and Video sales were the on screen images: the luxurious CGI (Computer Generated Images). This would perhaps be called cynical by most people, to presume that people only care about looks, and don’t care about depth. Surely, in today’s age this wouldn’t be true, would it now?

So the second film has been an equal box office smash, breaking some records while making piles of cash. There has been an insistence of positivity about this film, a positivity which I failed to grasp when I saw it. Therefore, I took the time to watch this a second time, with my half-brother, who strangely enough fell asleep during the first film. With regards to the second film, it was a case of the same for him, as he struggled to keep up with the 85 minute film out of pure visual indulgence. He managed to get through all three Lord of the Rings films better than I.

It’s difficult to really level any praise upon on Shrek 2, which, looking at it in comparison the first film, is essentially the same film. The basic premise that Shrek will fall in love with the princess returns, and everything else around it has or will be changed.

Take the beginning, whereby the donkey makes a return (voice acted by Eddie Murphy, showing he still has the sharpness that left him in the last ten years or so), and Shrek (voiced by reasonably likable Mike Myers) ushers him out so he can have some quiet time with Fiona (voice by the dirty vixen Cameron Diaz). Relate this back to a similar scene, excluding Fiona and we already have an almost-clone of the original film.

What frightens me is the idea of a trilogy, and that they will stretch the story to breaking point in the third and final film

The cat (voiced by Antonio Banderas) that plays the new side kick in this film is essentially added zest, and much needed as the story of Shrek and donkey going on another adventure would perhaps be seen as too repetitive. At times this works well enough, with the threes-a-crowd formula working to the film’s advantage. Sadly though, it seems a desperate injection of someone new, rather than a well thought out integration of a new role.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown up watching French & Saunders as a kid on BBC1 and 2, after the Watershed, but it was Jennifer Saunders performance as the Fairy Godmother which stole the show for me. Her voice is instantly recognisable adding her snobbish, faux-posh English accent which has been so often perfected in Absolutely Fabulous. Both the facial features and the behaviour, coupled with her rather brilliant scenes makes the film bearable for at least a while. It was only these scenes that made me laugh the most.

Talking of facial features, visually Shrek 2 is immediately ahead of its predecessor, and that of any CGI animated film. I have to hold up my hands to admit that I have not really liked any of the Pixar films either. The expectations being their animated shorts. These I found to be brilliant, ingenious and sharp. Their feature length films have been rather dull for this viewer. Whereas Pixar have managed to make their characters seem artificial and unemotional in behaviour, Dreamworks have gone many steps ahead. The characters are a visual splendour, showing detailed emotion, muscle tone and behaviour. It is an absolute delight to behold, far more than the original Shrek, and the difference is stark and obvious between the sequel and the prequel.

There are several moments of humour in the film, but they are few and far between. I did like the small touches, the songs from the 70s and 80s, which even my kid brother was waving his hands to in joy. There was also that moment of disco within the potion factory, so perhaps there was a theme in the film. I also loved the film parodies, mimicking and providing some much needed creativity in an otherwise bog standard film.

I think, for myself at least, I did find Shrek 2 a rather average experience as films go. I do accept there are worse out there, and perhaps I am just too much of a cold hearted bastard to enjoy these CGI films retelling stories from the past, of love and hope and all things nice. Nevertheless, I found Shrek 2 to be an empty experience, much like the first film. I will say that it has been improved by a huge margin.

It’s difficult to really level any praise upon on Shrek 2, which, looking at it in comparison the first film, is essentially the same film

What frightens me is the idea of a trilogy, and that they will stretch the story to breaking point in the third and final film. Let’s be honest, there wasn’t really the need for the second film, and it was only the success of the first which the studio felt justified in repeating. Of course they were right, and like most suckers, everyone who watched the first film went to watch the second one, coming out with smiles on their faces. That’s fine, if you want your films regurgitated and then slapped with a number at the end of the title.

As mentioned, I did like somethings about the film. Particularly Jennifer Saunders performance. Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz really didn’t seem to have much to do in this sequel. It was all rather routine, and perhaps it’s me, but I did sense that they really didn’t have the enthusiasm of going through it again. Unlike Eddie Murphy who seems to relish the opportunity to make some money these days. After all, it’s not like he’s done anything decent lately. I’m sure Myers and Diaz are grateful that there’s only three films, though I guess even they didn’t expect the sequels unbeknownst to them the success the first one would achieve.

Overall, Shrek 2 is both an improvement and a disappointment. I was grateful when it ended, but shocked when I realised it had been less than 90 minutes. It felt as though I had been watching this tripe for nearly two hours. A rather unnecessary sequel, and even at 85 some how minutes too long. We don’t need a third film, but it’s coming whether or not anyone wants it.

Verdict: Predictable, regurgitated sequel. If you like Shrek you’ll lap up Shrek 2.