Shrek 2 *** (out of 5)

The original "Shrek" was a delight; skillful animation combined with a great story and a subversive streak for the adults. Add to that inspired vocal casting and a franchise was born.

"Shrek 2" manages to be all that, yet somewhat less, as we're shown what happens to the Shreks after the honeymoon. Upon their return, Mr. & Mrs. Shrek (Mike Meyers, Cameron Diaz) are summoned to the kingdom of Far Far Away, where Fiona's parents (John Cleese, Julie Andrews) want to meet their son-in-law and bless the union. Trouble is, they're unaware that the groom is Shrek and not Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) as was pre-arranged.

They're taken aback, but Charming's mum, the kingdom's local Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) is livid. Seems she holds sway over the King and she insists that he do what is necessary to eliminate Shrek so that her son can marry Fiona as per their arrangement.

The King slinks into the local watering hole, "The Poisoned Apple," sporting a number of classic fairy tale villains. My personal favorite was Captain Hook, the piano player. You heard right! A close second was the bartender, an ugly stepsister who sounds eerily like Larry King. She suggests he hire the best hit cat around, Puss 'n' Boots (Antonio Banderas) to eliminate the ogre. Boots comes close to stealing the movie, but too often he just seems to be an additional prop for the goings-on.

The movie is clearly padded, particularly with two or three music videos too many in the middle, although the Godmother does a terrific "Bibbidy-Bobbidy-Boo" spoof that is the scene stealer of the show (with the possible exception of the duet at the end with Donkey and Puss, which I won't spoil for you here). But the movie picks up the pace, and the laughs, in the climactic final third, as Pinocchio, the three pigs and the three blind mice mount a rescue effort to save their incarcerated friends.

The kids who shared my screening loved the film, and it's not surprising. There is a lot more bodily function humor than there was in the first. And all the voices are back in fine form, with newcomers Saunders and Banderas welcome additions.

As a critic, not wanting to sound like an ogre, I still wanted more from "Shrek 2." But as the little boy who still laughs at "Bullwinkle" and "Underdog," I'll settle.