Toon Talk: From the Other Side: Shrek 2 - May 21, 2004

Toon Talk: From the Other Side: Shrek 2
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(c) Dreamworks

The most startling aspect of Shrek 2 is the lack of advancement in the animation, especially with the human characters (and this film has a lot more of them then the first), most noticeable when they are called upon to eat or drink; there are still moments where the characters move in a remarkably realistic way, but often the movements appear forced or unnatural, constantly causing distraction. And whatever its faults, the first film did look marvelous, with its lush fields of grass and interesting compositions. In contrast, the sequel lacks any of these visual triumphs and one is left with the impression that the production was rushed.

DreamWorks Animation (which now has a new, kid-friendly logo) has already announced plans for a Shrek 3 and Shrek 4. How well those productions turn out, of course, remains to be seen, but with the first sequel, one already has a sense of “been there, done that�? that signifies that it may be best to close the book with this “happily ever after�?.

Toon Talk Rating: C

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The Toon Talk Top 10 - Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat:

Shrek 2’s Puss in Boots joins a long line of memorable animated felines, including:

  1. Figaro in Pinocchio (1940).
  2. Lucifer in Cinderella (1950).
  3. The Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland (1951).
  4. Si and Am in Lady and the Tramp (1955).
  5. Sergeant Tibbs in 101 Dalmatians (1961).
  6. The Cast of The Aristocrats (1970).
  7. Rufus in The Rescuers (1977).
  8. Felicia in The Great Mouse Detective (1986).
  9. Oliver in Oliver and Company (1988).
  10. Yzma (post-transformation) in The Emperor’s New Groove (2000).

Coming Soon in Toon Talk:

  • Return for another trip Around the World in 80 Days, the latest re-telling of the Jules Verne classic, starring Ella Enchanted’s Steve Coogan, Shanghai Knights’ Jackie Chan and Iris’ Jim Broadbent, June 16th.
  • Journey back to Camelot with Clive Owen as Arthur, Pirates of the Caribbean’s Keira Knightly as Guinvere, 102 Dalmatians’ Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot and Ella Enchanted’s Hugh Dancy as Galahad in King Arthur, in theaters July 7th.
  • Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway and Hector Elizondo add another chapter to the diary in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, opening August 11th.

And Coming Soon from Buena Vista Home Video:

  • June 1st: From the vaults, such Disney favorites as Candleshoe (starring Jodie Foster and David Niven), A Far Off Place (Reese Witherspoon and Maximilian Schell), Flight of the Navigator (Joey Cramer and Sarah Jessica Parker), the original Freaky Friday (Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris) and the classic Sherman Brothers musical The Happiest Millionaire (Fred MacMurray, Tommy Steele, Leslie Ann Warren, John Davidson, Greer Garson and Geraldine Page), as well as a Freaky Friday two-pack DVD set (including both the original and the remake) and the Herbie the Love Bug Collection, a five disc set including the Love Bug Special Edition and it’s three theatrical sequels. Also available: Ernest Goes to School (Jim Varney), A Saintly Switch (Vivica A. Fox), My Baby’s Daddy (Eddie Griffin), Power Rangers: Dinothunder and special edition sets for Miramax’s Flirting with Disaster (Ben Stiller), Cop Land (Sylvester Stallone) and the contemporary classic Trainspotting (Ewan McGregor).
  • Brazil’s surprise Oscar nominee City of God finally arrives on DVD June 8th.
  • Teacher’s Pet, the recent animated musical comedy featuring the voice of Nathan Lane, makes its DVD debut June 15th. Also available: the critically acclaimed The Station Agent starring Miracle’s Patricia Clarkson, Peter Dinklage and Bobby Canavale.

Discuss It

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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logo by William C Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics

Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted May 21, 2004

 

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