A DELIGHTFUL clash of the Grimm fairy tales and Meet The Parents, Shrek 2 will send the pixellated stars of Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Monsters Inc green with envy.

Following their box office riches last time, Shrek and wife Princess Fiona are now called away from their swamp home and back to Far Far Away land to meet her King and Queen folks.

Dad (Cleese) is particularly unimpressed with the dour, prop forward of an ogre that has wed his girl.

He recruits a splendid Puss in Boots (Banderas in joyous, ebullient form) to assassinate the green one.

Fairy Godmother (Saunders) also wants rid of Shrek, so that her mincing son, Prince Charming, can take the throne.

But Shrek has his own plan. He pops a magic potion to ensure that he keeps Fiona and with the help of annoying sidekick Donkey (Murphy), they set out to prove that looks don't matter - it's what's inside that counts. A fittingly predictable lesson from a pair of ogres.

Shrek 2 bursts with self-knowing fairy tale references and homages to greats like Alien, Mission Impossible, Spiderman and Ghostbusters.

This could be tedious, but Shrek 2 spreads it liberally among the toilet humour and pratfalls that youngsters will love.

The raucous Donkey gets the best lines, but Puss is a close second.

Together they eclipse their counterfoil - the dour, grumbly Shrek.

And Saunders' disco jivin', junk food lovin' wicked fairy godmother is, well, magical.

The film really picks up pace later on, with much of the first half hour a preamble with noticeable weak spots.

But Shrek 2 is funny, well formed and unashamedly light entertainment.

The shoe fits and it shall go to the ball.

Mono rating: eight out of ten.