(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�?.

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 16^th.
• 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 7^th.
• Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway and Hector Elizondo add another chapter to the diary in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, opening August 11^th.

And Coming Soon from Buena Vista Home Video:

• June 1^st: 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 8^th.
• Teacher’s Pet, the recent animated musical comedy featuring the voice of Nathan Lane, makes its DVD debut June 15^th. Also available: the critically acclaimed The Station Agent starring Miracle’s Patricia Clarkson, Peter Dinklage and Bobby Canavale.