SHREK 2: Not Enough Butter on the Popcorn

I just got back from watching SHREK 2 the new Dreamworks animated film starring Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy (and Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas, and everyone else who sent a fruit basket to Katzenberg after the first film became a pop sensation). For those who somehow managed to miss SHREK 1 on film, VHS, DVD, coloring books, wall paper, beanie babies, or your 3 year old nephew rambling about it over Thanksgiving Dinner, the plot was: a reclusive ogre (Shrek) is driven out of his beloved swamp home when an anti-fairy tale prince attempts to deport all magical creatures from his land. Shrek makes a deal with the prince to rescue a princess (Fiona) for the prince, in return for which the prince will deport the magical creatures from the swamp, too. The ogre and the princess fall in love, hilarity ensues, Eddie Murphy is funny, and a moral message is displayed in neon letters. Etc.



SHREK 2 picks up where SHREK 1 left off, which was not easy since the original writers and animators did not expect that a sequel would be needed. Now the princess and the ogre are married, so it is off to the kingdom of FAR FAR AWAY to meet the parents. (No Robert DeNiro impressions, please!) The parents are understanably horrified to find their little girl married to the Incredible Hulk, and it turns out that Princess Fiona's pre-Shrek captivity may have had a more sinister history than first expected. Oh, yes, and hilarity ensues, Eddie Murphy is funny (now joined by Antonio Banderas playing the best parody of Antonio Banderas I have seen), and a moral message is displayed in neon letters, Etc.



Overall, SHREK 2 is a very fun film, and despite the sarcastic tone of the review, I enjoyed it a good deal. But one should not romanticize the original when you come walking in, either. The pop culture references are clever, but sometimes overdone. The characters go from funny to annoying to funny back and forth more quickly than you'd expect. And the popcorn did not have enough butter on it. Or maybe the last part was just at my showing. (Transfatty acids forever!)



SCORE: **** (out of 5 possible)