Shrek 2 Review
by Laura Clifford (laura AT reelingreviews DOT com)May 24th, 2004
SHREK 2
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What's next after a happily ever after honeymoon? A visit with the in-laws, the king (John Cleese) and queen (Julie Andrews) of the Kingdom of Far Far Away present more obstacles for the ogreish love affair of Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and her new husband, "Shrek 2."
More of the same with less bite, "Shrek 2" continues to plunder other films while introducing product placement and five major new characters who, with one exception, add little to the proceedings. When it comes to sequels, Dreamworks Animation is no Pixar. That's not to say there aren't pleasures to be had in "Shrek 2," but most of them arrive at the film's conclusion long after one has begun checking one's watch.
The film begins with a prologue which explains that Prince Charming (Rupert Everett, "My Best Friend's Wedding") had been Fiona's intended all along, but he arrived at the tower too late, well after Shrek and donkey had braved the dragon and saved the princess. Meanwhile, the newlyweds have arrived back at the swamp only to be summoned for a ball celebrating their marriage by Fiona's parents, who are clearly expecting her to arrive with Charming. Surprisingly, Shrek doesn't have mother-in-law problems - she's actually supportive - but father-in-law is enraged and wants rid of his ogreish son-in-law, so he heads to the Poison Apple pub to hire the notorious hit man, Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas, "Spy Kids 3"). It turns out that the king has a secret pact with The Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders, TV's "Absolutely Fabulous"), who happens to be Charming's mom. Meanwhile, Shrek foils Puss, who becomes his loyal servant, and steals one of the Godmother's potent potions to ensure he and Fiona will live happily ever after. Surprising results end up pitting Shrek against Charming for Fiona's hand.
As in the original film, the story writers have fun spoofing films like "The Lord of the Rings," "Spider-Man," "From Here to Eternity" and, most successfully, "Mission Impossible." The first film's main problem is also present in the sequel, though - a feeling of warmed over borrowings from "The Princess Bride" joined this time with echoes of Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." Farquaad's Disneyland kingdom is replaced with the Hollywood styled Far Far Away with its stretch-carriages and hillside sign (not to mention Barney's Old York, Gap Queen and Old Navery). Speaking of Farquaad, the great John Cleese cannot enliven the King and Julie Andrews is nondescript as the Queen. Jennifer Saunders gives a jaunty vocal performance to a character that simply isn't enjoyable enough for the large amount of screen time she's given. Everett breezes through his egotistical prince impersonation, but the real addition is Banderas's Puss, an amusingly animated creation who gets some of the film's biggest laughs (one really rather naughty visual reference to self-stimulation will more than likely fly over the heads of the kiddies). In smaller roles, the denizens of the shady pub, the Poison Apple, are all entertaining from the Ugly Stepsister who tends bar to patrons like the Headless Horseman and the piano-playing Captain Hook. It should be noted that Fiona is pretty much relegated to the sidelines for this outing, although the filmmakers have done a nice job presenting the weirdness of a new husband staying in his bride's girlhood bedroom (the "Sir Justin" poster pinned to her canopy is a cute in-joke).
"Shrek 2" finally revs into high gear for its race-to-the-finish ending, which gleefully spoofs both the O.J. Simpson chase and TV's 'Cops,' although the climax once again is reminiscent of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." The concluding musical number isn't as much fan as the original's, even with Puss joining Donkey on vocals, but stick around for a semi-amusing epilogue which follows the credits.
B-
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