Along the way, the film delivers plenty of laughs. While some gags fall flat or just seem plain tired, a surprising many are right on the mark, particularly a parody of Cops (Knights) that's one of the funniest scenes ever filmed (or rendered). A handful of the fairy tale characters from the first film also make a welcome return appearance; the Gingerbread Man, Pinocchio, and the Three Blind Mice provide plenty of laughs in an escape sequence straight out of Mission: Impossible.
Adding to the light, peppy feel of the film is a stellar soundtrack that mixes new tracks like "Accidentally in Love" by Counting Crows with a flurry of classic rock remakes including "Holding Out For A Hero," "Changes," and "Funkytown." Jennifer Saunders' "Fairy Godmother Song" and Murphy and Banderas' inimitable version of "Livin' La Vida Loca" are both highlights.
Though I wasn't a huge fan of the first Shrek, I couldn’t help but like the sequel. While the requisite moments of sentimentality touch on the saccharine, the movie is clever and funny enough that it hits far more often than it misses. Shrek 2 is a fun, entertaining film that even an ogre would enjoy.
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