The animation by which it stands or falls is as brilliant as ever and, though it wouldn't really be right to call it totally anti-Disney, it certainly trumps that institution for sharpness of focus, notably as far as the screenplay is concerned.

All hail the angriest rebel since James Dean. All right, he's green, pot-bellied, and has the social graces of a slug. But in terms of attitude? Peerless.

Go and see Shrek 2. You'll enjoy yourself thoroughly. Only the churlish could find any faults.

...an agreeable sequel that never quite reaches the heights of its palpably superior predecessor...