Shrek 2

This welcome follow-up is every bit as cute, clever and funny as the original - if less of a surprise, as we expect its technical brilliance this time and are perhaps less dazzled by it. The sequel picks up after the marriage of Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz), and follows their trip to her homeland of Far Far Away. If Fiona's parents, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), are shocked to discover she's an ogre, that's nothing compared to Harold's reaction to her new husband. The king wants Fiona to marry the foppish Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), so he hires assassin Puss-in-Boots (marvellously voiced by Antonio Banderas) to kill his new son-in-law. The parodies, pop references, Disney-baiting and Hollywood send-ups (the kingdom of Far Far Away is etched as a medieval Tinseltown) are hilarious - as is Eddie Murphy, who's on great form as Donkey - and there's plenty of subtle satire and double entendres for young and old alike to savour.