Movie Review # 665: Shrek 2 (2004)

Well, everyone, today, we review an animated sequel that was just re-released in theaters for it’s 20th anniversary as of recently, and one of the main reasons that I wanted to rewatch the first film, and review because of that. It also, like its predecessor, got nominated for Best Animated Feature. However, unlike the first film, this sequel lost to a Disney/Pixar film that was released near the end of this same year, by the name of The Incredibles. So now, let’s discuss the sequel to the legendary 2001 animated film that took many people by surprise, the one, and only Shrek 2.

Plot: When newlyweds Shrek (Mike Meyers), and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are invited by the King, and Queen of Far Far Away (aka Fiona’s parents, and played by John Cleese, and Julie Andrews respectively) to come to their kingdom, and receive their blessing for their marriage, Fiona, and Shrek agree to do so (albeit reluctantly for the latter). Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) arrive, only to discover that it doesn’t end up being smooth sailing, thanks to a series of mishaps occurring, including King Harold hating the fact that Fiona married an ogre, instead of Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). So now, the question remains, will Harold, and Queen Lillian warm up to Shrek, and the fact that Fiona remains an ogre, or will they do everything in their power to destroy their marriage?

Now, I remember that though there have been some who said that they liked the first film more than this, or any of the other sequels that followed, I’ve heard quite a few others that said that they have at least considered Shrek 2 better than the first film. So, would either statement be accurate? Well, for sure, the second statement would probably ring more true. Now, don’t get me wrong, Shrek 1 is still a good film. However, because the first film was a little too crude, and a little creepy at a couple points, you may recall that I docked the film down to an A- as a result. As for this second Shrek film, though it may have a little bit of crude humor like in the first film, it toned that aspect down by a lot. Because of that, though I still think that The Incredibles was the better film of this, and any other nominations from 2004, there is a part of me that would have felt more peace if Shrek 2 won that Oscar than when the first Shrek film beat out even Monsters, Inc. For one, though the humor is still a little more crude at times, it is more clean, and less raunchy this time around. Next, there’s the storyline. Usually, with some rare exceptions here, and there, sequels don’t usually end up being as good as the first film. This time around, much like other rare cases such as Toy Story 2, or Kung Fu Panda 2, for instance, Shrek 2, strangely enough, ends up being better than the first Shrek movie. Once again, this another example of a movie that pokes fun at Disney, and fairytales. I mean the way that DreamWorks was trying to make a twist on the classic fairytale trope, they pulled it off beautifully well just as much, maybe even more than they did in the first film. Next, there are the characters, old, and new. Once again, Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, shine as main characters for this film. That being said, the newer characters are also great. From Fiona’s parents, to the fairy godmother, and her son, Prince Charming, and, especially the best of them all, Puss In Boots, who was voiced by Antonio Banderas, every moment with them all remains classic, and memorable. What’s even more is that because Antonio Banderas is the actor to play Puss In Boots, he makes his character have a Zorro like character. So, because of that, Puss In Boots was an excellent new addition to Shrek, and Donkey, as well as a welcome one to the franchise period. Not to mention that it’s awesome that Puss In Boots has a couple of his own movies with him as the main character. As for the soundtrack, it was an upgrade from the first film as well. I mentioned in my review for the first Shrek that most of those songs felt like montage after montage for that film. This time around, even though most of those songs were songs that we had heard before this movie was released, they worked much better this time around. The reason being is that they fit much better with scenes that occurred throughout this film, which is more than we can say about most of the songs from the first film. And plus, who probably didn’t love the fairy godmother character singing the rendition of “Holding Out For A Hero” by Bonnie Tyler around the climax of this film, or even all of the characters singing “Livin’ La Vida Loca” at the very end, for example? The score by Harry Gregson-Williams was also really good. The animation was also really great, maybe even an upgrade from the first film. Shrek 2 was also really funny, and, again, in better ways than the first movie. Finally, this film had some surprisingly good messages that I don’t know how to put words to this time around. Let’s just say that they’re really good.

And that’s my review for Shrek 2. Honestly, even after rewatching this film, when it was re-released in theaters 20 years later, I can see why this sequel is enjoyed by many. It was most definitely an improvement from the first film. The storyline is great, the characters, old, and new, are all likable, and memorable, in fact, maybe even more so this time around, the soundtrack, and score, are awesome, the animation is really great, and the storyline, overall, is really fun. I would say that if you surprisingly have never seen this sequel to the first Shrek movie even 20 years later, I would most definitely recommend it. You would be surprised by how enjoyable it is in the end. So, because of that, you won’t be disappointed. Therefore, give Shrek 2 a shot!

Final Grade: A