Reviews

Memo to all Screenwriters:

If you ever intend on writing a sequel to a wildly successful film, use Shrek 2 as your guide.

Why?

A number of reasons make this sequel worthy of standing alongside the original Shrek - not the least of which is the development of new characters which seamlessly melt in to the picture - and are not jarringly new (unlike in some films where new characters are rammed in to the film just to build a larger ensemble cast.) From Fiona's parents, to the Fairy Godmother, to Puss-n-Boots, every new character which appears in this film isn't overwhelming to the senses -- and doesn't require the viewer to think much in remembering who's who...

Part of the charm of the original Shrek was its ability to take true pop culture (not to be confused with the current flavour-of-the-week on the pop scene) and turn it on its head. Shrek 2 does not fail in this area either -- and one has to believe part of the reason why the comedy in this film seems so timeless is because of the nature of the film.

It's easy for Hollywood to turn around a live action film in a matter of months full of references to what's hot in pop at the moment -- animation requires more planning, and a script-in-hand much earlier (for things to be done right)... the cultural references are fun, and familiar.

Ultimately, Shrek 2 continues to carry on the original's tradition of creating fun for the whole family... funny physical humour the kids will love alongside the somewhat 'PG' innuendo that kids won't notice and parents will laugh hysterically at.

As fun as the original -- with a new original idea.

10/10.

It's been a long time since I walked out on a movie.

Okay, not that long -- about 30 minutes in to last summer's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake, I gracefully removed myself from the theatre before I gave way to hurling insults and popcorn at the screen.

But, Troy has set a new record for my tolerance. After two hours, there was still no resolution to the story -- if you can honestly sit there and believe there's much of a story.

This adaptation of Homer's legendary story is merely an excuse for beginning CGI artists to try their hand at a 'major epic' of a motion picture. Too bad this film stinks to high heavens.

The script is so bad - so cliché - you're waiting for one of the characters to batter down the fourth wall at any minute and to start laughing hysterically. It's like a Monty Python skit -- only, Monty Python is funny.

I'm waiting with baited breath throughout the film for Brad Pitt to crack in an Owen Wilson-esque, "Dude, I'm only kidding" punchline... alas, it never arrives.

Taking nearly three hours to tell a story that could have been tidied up neatly in two is unforgivable. Inflicting such a novice-effort script on otherwise talented actors, that's a crime beyond comprehension.

1/10