Shrek 2

When we bade farewell to the happily honeymooning ogres Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz), it seemed like a "happily ever after" ending. True love had saved Fiona from the curse that bound her in the guise of a human being during the daylight. At last she was free to be her ogre-ly self, 24-7. She had learned to accept who she was, and she had discovered someone who loved her that way. Shrek had overcome his antisocial attitude and become a local hero. Donkey (Eddie Murphy) seemed happy to have found friends who would tolerate his nonstop talk.

Viewers cheered for Shrek's triumph, but it was Donkey who stole the show. So, sure enough, we get an extra helping of donkey's braying nonsense in Shrek 2. We also get more of everything we liked about the first film, and less of the things that didn't work.

Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and King Harold (John Cleese)

In Shrek 2, Shrek begrudgingly accepts an invitation to travel with Fiona to the land of Far Far Away. Fiona's parents (John Cleese and Julie Andrews) are expecting to meet a charming new son-in-law … literally. They think Fiona's rescuer was Prince Charming himself.

But Charming (Rupert Everett), who was indeed dispatched to rescue Fiona from captivity in a dragon cave, got there too late. Shrek had already done the job. Apparently, Shrek never played theatres in the land of Far Far Away-the king and queen know nothing of Fiona's marriage to the jolly green giant from the swamp. Thus, it's not just Shrek that will surprise them. They'll be shocked to see their daughter looking ogre-ish in the daylight.

When Charming learns that Fiona's already made her marital vows, he returns home to plot Plan B with his mother, the infamous Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders). While Far Far Away is governed by royalty, Godmother's the one who really runs the show, ruling the kingdom with a dangerous magic wand and a pantry full o' potions.

Shrek and Fiona meet the Queen

Shrek and Fiona are welcomed to the castle by a crowd of astonished and appalled locals. The people of Far Far Away, like their reigning monarchs, judge others by their appearance—and Shrek's not their idea of admirable. For a while, it looks like a storybook retelling of Meet the Parents—when Shrek and the king trade insults over dinner, he looks likely to "Hulk out." While Fiona consoles her fuming husband behind closed doors, the king becomes an easy subject for the manipulative Godmother. He determines to take Shrek out of the picture—first, by the hiring of a notorious assassin, and then by the influence of enchanted beverages that promise more than your daily dose of antioxidants.

Puss-in-Boots steals the show in Shrek 2

The first threat, a feisty feline in famous footwear, is played by Antonio Banderas with panache and personality—Puss-in-Boots nearly steals the show. If there's a Shrek 3, there will be at least as much expectation of more Puss as there is of more Donkey. And the way things look, we may as well speculate about Shrek 4, 5 and 6. Banderas' exuberant contributions and some animation brilliance make this one of the all-time great cartoon cats. He deserves his own franchise.

Director Andrew Adamson and his team of co-writers keep the story moving at a quick clip, packing the screen with cleverness that will reward repeated viewings. He also guides the characters with more confidence; Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey interact as comfortably as if they'd starred in a sitcom together for decades. The DreamWorks animation team serves up another dazzling show of animation that raises the bar yet again for Pixar and Disney studios, but there's no "showoff" factor this time. The look of the film supports the story instead of drawing attention to itself.

Although Harry Gregson-Williams's pitch-perfect soundtrack is again punctuated by somewhat intrusive pop songs (I still wince when I remember the appalling abuse of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" in the first film), this time the selections are better suited to the material. Even such superlative artists such as Tom Waits and Nick Cave fit right in. While I prefer the pure storytelling style of Finding Nemo and The Iron Giant, Shrek 2's relentless parodies of other movies work better here than they did last time. Spoofs of Mission: Impossible and TV's "COPs" earn big laughs while buoying the characters along toward an adrenalin-rush conclusion, one of the fastest and most frenzied action climaxes ever.

Shrek 2 ends up not so much an extension of Shrek's story as an improved retelling. The theme remains the same—we should not judge a book by its cover, even if that cover is lime green and covered in warts. The first Shrek declared open season on Disney clichés, throwing not-so-subtle jabs at the way Mickey Mouse's house has become preoccupied with stories of characters who long to be something they're not.

In defense of those "transformation stories," such fairy tales as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella speak to our deep suspicion that we are not what we were meant to be. It's no accident that such stories recur throughout history and cultures. They strike chords that resonate within us because we are, indeed, flawed, "asleep," incomplete. On some level, we're waiting for the day that our Creator will redeem us from our "cursed" state, purge us of our sins, save us from a wicked world, and raise us up to the ideal existence he intended.

Shrek and Puss-in-Boots warm up to each other

Nevertheless, Disney deserved a critique. It's not Disney's focus on fairy tales that is the problem; it's the way their versions of fairy tales eliminate the complexity of the source material, and the way they have inclined generations toward the idea that a true happy ending involves the blessing of Barbie-like good looks.

This time around, it's not Disney that's the butt of the joke (although there are few more unmistakable potshots taken at the studio giant along the way). Shrek 2 has the "beauties" of Beverly Hills in its sights. With a red carpet welcome party hosted by a Joan Rivers look-alike, the filmmakers make a mockery of Oscar glitz and glamour. Through the Fairy Godmother's exultation in the power of her potions, we see a media-wise perspective on the culture of cosmetic surgery.

Celebrity culture has polluted popular imaginations with poor definitions of beauty. On "reality" TV, women and men give up their natural appearances for artificial beauty in order to gain acceptance and temporary happiness. One such show is called The Swan, a reference to the famous fairy tale of the ugly duckling. These shows only reinforce the insecurities of viewers who have been sold a lie. They tell us that we have to change our exterior in order to be truly satisfied. The Shrek movies remind us that it is not our appearance that needs changing, but our hearts. Further, it affirms that no matter what we look like, we all have value, gifts, and the potential to truly make a difference.

But the implications go as far as viewers care to take them. Shrek 2's critique applies to any culture that has its codes of behavior and appearance. The land of Far Far Away might be reflecting playground ethics or high school culture. But it might also be your political party. It might be your health club. It could be your neighborhood, or your nation. It might sometimes even be the church.

Yes, even Christian "culture" has its prejudices, tending to jump to unflattering conclusions about unusual visitors. They may not be green-skinned or smelly. But they might have colorful language, an audacious sense of jewelry, or some ideas about love, politics, sexuality, or even diet that is dissonant with our own. How often do we wish we could change a stranger's vocabulary, appearance, or manners so that we can feel more comfortable with them? Certainly we have room to be concerned about inappropriate behavior, because choices can lead to serious consequences. But if we approach others with an aim to change them rather than an aim to know them, to love them, and to exemplify a better life for them, we make ourselves ugly with arrogance in the process.

Another adventure for Shrek and Donkey

Will Shrek give in to the pressure, and conform to the Far Far Away idea of beautiful? Will he and Donkey succumb to Fairy Godmother's tempting offer of an extreme makeover? Moviegoers can rest easy. A saint is known by his response to temptations, and in the land of fairy tales, Shrek and Fiona are holy fools.

Talk About It

1. The people of Far Far Away think ogres are ugly and assume the worst. Have you ever known or seen people—perhaps even yourself or your church—pre-judge those who don't "fit in"? Have you ever had your first impressions of someone changed for the better?
   
   
2. What is popular culture's idea of beauty? Why is cosmetic surgery so popular? What do people assume will happen if they change their outward appearance?
   
   
3. What do TV commercials say about our "needs"? What cultural shortcuts promise us satisfaction and happiness? What is the real outcome of taking those shortcuts? Have you ever taken a shortcut to satisfaction and suffered for it? What are the better routes to satisfaction and fulfillment? Why aren't those things advertised?
   
   
4. Not everyone in Hollywood buys into the culture of superficiality and exterior beauty. Can you think of any current celebrities who might feel this way?
   
   
5. What does Scripture say about God's measure of beauty and integrity?

The Family Corner

Shrek 2 has a few flatulence jokes and other off-color punchlines, a few winks at the grownups regarding sexual flirtations, and some comical violence that is more likely to make kids laugh than wince. If you're unsure whether to take your kids or not, rent Shrek 1 and preview it for yourself. They're similar in that sense.

Photos © Copyright DreamWorks Pictures

What Other Critics Are Saying

Shrek stands as one of the most successful family films of all time. When it was released, it boasted standard-setting animation. It wove fairy tales together with a wicked wit, turning the genre on its head and mercilessly spoofing the often-superficial, saccharine storytelling of Disney animation studios. But it also damaged its own credibility by relying far too heavily on cheap punch lines, flatulence jokes, and pop culture references, as if the filmmakers did not trust their own story to hold the attention of both children and grownups.

Shrek 2 serves up a lot more of the good stuff and finds a better balance. While it tells basically the same story in a new context, it's funnier, digs deeper, and provides a fast and frenzied finale. The relentless references to other films, television shows, and pop culture personalities are brilliantly employed so that they do not detract from the storytelling, which remains simple but strong. In fact, by turning Hollywood—and the cosmetic surgery culture it has spawned—into the target of its sharpened comedy arrows, Shrek 2 is a much more resonant tale of integrity and authenticity versus the forces of conformity and superficiality.

My full review is at Christianity Today Movies.

"Shrek 2, in many ways, is an improvement over the original film," says Michael Elliott (Movie Parables). "The satire on popular culture seems sharper; the crude humor has been softened; the characters are both familiar and fresh; and the computer generated artwork seems more technologically advanced. Bottom line: the film is a winner for all concerned."

Annabelle Robertson (Crosswalk) enthuses, "Really good films are oh-so-rare these days, so when one combines top-notch writing, excellent acting, a positive message and brilliant satire about pop culture, I can't help but rave. I've also never been a fan of animation, but I am now."

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) says, "Shrek 2 echoes both the wit and charm, if not the freshness, of the original—a rare achievement in the world of sequels. The wall-to-wall humor will keep young viewers laughing, with the bawdier zingers ricocheting off their funny bones and above their heads. Adults will also have fun spotting the parodies of both current and classic Hollywood fare. And while the follow-up's message of self-acceptance is somewhat recycled from the earlier installment, it is one well worth repeating, especially in our superficial society which puts such a premium on surface appearance at the exclusion of inner worth."

A few reviews for previously released films appeared in the religious press these past two weeks.

Reviewing Shrek 2, Andrew Coffin (World) says, "The sequel to the phenomenally successful 2001 hit features even more impressive computer animation, some great gags, and an engaging storyline. And it's not quite as offensive as the first film. Despite a balance shift for the better, though, Shrek 2 still contains enough inappropriate material to be disturbing to parents."

Mike Parnell (Ethics Daily) writes, "Shrek 2 lacks much of the charm of the first movie. It has too much intrigue and not enough whimsy." But he calls it "a good movie. Shrek 2 will entertain you, but it lacks the warmth and the grossness of the original. That may not be your cup of tea, but the child in your life will be the one who misses it most."

Josh Hurst (Reveal), on the other hand, says it's "one of those rare sequels that outshines its predecessor in every way, and, in the process, gets in a few good jabs at the excesses of Hollywood. … While not a flawless film, Shrek 2 finds the franchise growing up a bit, gaining more mature storytelling and finding a stronger moral compass."

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