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Shrek 2 (Full Screen Edition) Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 17 Reviews)
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The movie Shrek taught us all to be ourselves, and that it is what is on the inside that matters, not the outside. It also taught us that ogres are like onions, not cake. And that one person's annoying talking donkey is another person's comedic treasure. Yeah, Shrek was a very funny movie with a very deep and meaningful lesson. In Shrek 2, we get some old gags, plenty of new gags, and the same old message. Ok, so now Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are back from their honeymoon, but they find that Donkey (Eddie Murphy) isn't the only person waiting them for them. Fiona's parents, Herald (John Cleese) and Lilian (Julie Andrews), who are the King and Queen of a kingdom called Far, Far Away, have summoned the newlyweds to the kingdom to be the royal guests of honor at a wedding ball. However, upon their arrival, they are immediately shunned by the people of Hollywood, I mean Far, Far Away. Let's not forget that Shrek and Fiona are ogres, and Donkey is an annoying talking animal. Anyway, Fiona is visited by a sleazy Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) who tries to convince her to be "happy", or marry her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). Fiona declines because she loves Shrek. Meanwhile, it turns out King Harold and Fairy Godmother have some secret pact, which, if not honored, will have dire consequences for the royal family. Anyway, Shrek, feeling rejected by Fiona, takes a "Happily Ever After" potion which turns Shrek and Donkey "sexy". Soon, Fiona is forced to choose between the old and the new Shrek.
The whole potion bit is a metaphor for plastic surgery, or something related. After all, Far, Far Away is very Hollywoodish, and in Tinsel Town, looking good is everything, even if it doesn't mean feeling good. Anyway, this was a very funny movie. There were some original jokes, some jokes from the first movie, and some film spoofs, such as Spider-Man, Mission: Impossible, and E.T. Once again, the Shrek/Donkey duo generated a lot of laughs, but the real scene stealer was the new Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Finally, I was a little disappointed not to see some sort of cameo from Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), who was a great character from the first film who got too little screen time. Anyway, this movie, while it is a bit of an echo of the first film, but it is still worth seeing.
Can't remember feeling this good leaving a theater ...
First, you start off with a dream cast: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Saunders, and Rupert Everett. Then, you put them in a movie sequel that - while maybe with not quite the same level of heart the first film had - is funny, well-written, action-packed, and with a good story to tell.
And that's how "Shrek 2" comes to be, on a different level, a sequel to equal its predecessor. I literally can't remember when I've left a movie feeling this good, it's a film that deserved to break records, and hopefully will continue to do so.
The film opens right where the first one left off; Fiona and Shrek (Diaz and Myers) enjoy a blissful honeymoon ... after which they head home to the swamp, where they are reunited with Donkey (Murphy) -- it seems the romance between him and Dragon didn't work out. Soon after they're arrival, the newlyweds are visited by messengers from the Kingdom of Far Far Away, who inform them that Princess Fiona and her husband, Prince Shrek, have been invited to Far Far Away for a celebration of their marriage, with a gala ball where the king and queen (Fiona's parents) will bestow their blessings on the marriage union.
Shrek, figuring correctly that Fiona's parent may not be thrilled with their daughter marrying an ogre -- much less that Fiona is now an ogre permanently herself -- allows himself to be talked into going to the kingdom by Fiona, who is absolutely sure her parents will not only accept her in her current form ... but will also accept her ogre husband, whom she dearly loves.
The trip back -- in a carriage shaped like a garlic bulb -- takes Shrek and Fiona and Donkey to a kingdom where the streets resemble a strip mall (Burger Prince, Tower of London Records, etc. -- it looks like Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, Disney-style). When they get to the castle, they see that practically every loyal subject in the kingdom has gathered to celebrate the return of the long-lost princess. But when the happy couple steps from the coach, a hush of shock falls over the crowd ... and sure enough, the reception on all levels is much closer to Shrek's vision than what Fiona had in mind.
Add a conniving Fairy Godmother (Saunders), who has her own plans for Shrek and Fiona, and is blackmailing the King (Cleese) into helping her ... a catsassin name Puss-in-Boots (Banderas) who is hired to "take care of" Shrek so the evil plan can unfold ... and a magic "Happy Every After" potion that must end in a kiss before midnight for it to take hold ... and you have a great sequel that is funny, adventurous, and will appeal to the young and old alike.
The animation is tops; classic as "Shrek" was, there have been still new advances in animation that make this film look even more amazing on the big screen. The characters are all warm and human -- especially Shrek and Fiona of course -- but you'll get your best laughs from Donkey ... and especially from Puss, who has a secret weapon (when fighting off the guards in one scene) that may just have you falling off your seat with laughter.
While "Shrek" may be a more "fully-rounded" film, as some have said, there is not a single frame - or moment - wasted in this terrific sequel. In some ways, I liked it even better than the first, and for Murphy and Banderas alone the L.Q. (Laugh Quotient) will make it worth even a second or third viewing in the theater (and a no-brainer to own on DVD). Highly recommended, and I can't imagine anyone not liking this film -- unless you got a good bit of ogre in you, too.
Different, but Better Than The First
Hilarious. Adults will love it's fast paced, bit mature, twisted humor. I liked it much better than the first Shrek. The laughs come at a non-stop fast pace. There are no boring parts. Small children may not catch much of the humor (at least I hope not), but the movie is a visual masterpiece. A feast for the young viewer's eyes. Great fun. Loved it.
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