Once upon another time...

Starring: (the voice talents of) Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders, Joan Rivers, Larry King, Cody Cameron, Conrad Vernon

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Oh, Shrek. Don't worry. Things just seem bad because it's dark and rainy and Fiona's father hired a sleazy hitman to whack you." - Donkey

Why watch this? Dare I say it's a bit better than the original? There, I said it.

Plot Summary: To please Fiona's human parents in the glamorous kingdom of Far Far Away, Shrek seeks a magical potion to transform himself, bringing a swashbuckling feline assassin named Puss in Boots along for the journey. Meanwhile, Fiona's vengeful Fairy Godmother schemes with her own son to tear the royal couple apart, using the magic of a twisted fairytale to rewrite their "happily ever after".

Dad's Preview: This delightful sequel, to a surprise DreamWorks animated hit, has all the original did, plus more. It is at least as good, if not a smidge better. Here the theme is what really occurs after "happily ever after", when life goes on and the groom has to get to know the in-laws. Throw in a scheming father-in-law, a demented fairy godmother, and an adorable, swashbuckling assassin-cat and you've got a fast-paced adventure cartoon that offers fun for children and adults alike. There are several cute Easter eggs related to pop culture, and the film's music, using familiar hits and original songs, rings true. Whether you liked the original or not, this film brings us home to our favorite, flatulent, green ogre.

DreamWorks Animation, PDI/Dreamworks; DreamWorks Pictures