In 2001, the talented CGI artists at PDI partnered with Dreamworks to give the folks at Pixar and Disney a run for their money with Shrek. Based on the classic children's book by William Steig, the irreverent take on classic fairy tale conventions became one of the most successful and popular animated films of all time. A sequel was inevitable.
Shrek 2 goes back to the well for more, with jokes ranging from standard bathroom humor to a spot-on anachronistic parody of Hollywood culture.
Mike Myers is back in the title role as the crusty but warm-hearted ogre at the film's core, though he's noticeably toned down his signature Scottish brogue this time around. Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz also return as perpetually annoying sidekick Donkey and love interest Fiona, respectively. New additions include John Cleese and Julie Andrews as Fiona's parents, Rupert Everett as Prince Charming, and Absolutely Fabulous's Jennifer Saunders as the Fairy Godmother.
The real star of the show, however, is Puss... in Boots. Voiced by Antonio Banderas, the deadly feline assassin gives the franchise a sharp kick in the pants. Banderas almost single-handedly saves the sequel from being little more than a rehash of the first movie.
The paper-thin plot follows a post-honeymoon Shrek and Fiona as they journey to the Southern California-inspired kingdom of Far Far Away to meet the parents. Needless to say, the King and Queen are more than a little surprised at their Princess's new husband and new appearance. Fiona was supposed to have wed Prince Charming and broken the curse that turns her into an ogre at night. Instead, by marrying Shrek, she has resigned herself forever to that state. As expected, a plot is hatched to break up the happy couple, Shrek and Fiona both do a bit of soul searching, and so on to a not entirely unexpected conclusion.
Article comments
1 - bhw
Is the movie appropriate for young children? My kids [3 and 5] love Shrek, but even that one has some scenes I'd rather they didn't see.
My take on comedy sequels is that they're raunchier or have more potty humor than the original. What about this one?
2 - Shark
Just a note: Shrek 3 and Shrek 4 already have the greenlight.
If you have small kids, it's time to get a home mortgage loan to finance the tie-ins.
Tie-ins along could boost the U.S. economy!
3 - Scott Pepper
BHW-
Of the top of my head, I'd say it is actually less raunchy than the first one. While the bodily function humor is still there, it has been toned down significantly, and any quote-unquote sexual content (as per the "PG" rating) is so minor that kids younger than 13 or so won't even realize it's there. Had this been a Disney film, it probably would have been slapped with a "G".
4 - Scott Pepper
of = off