New targets, same sharp satire

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2004)

First things first: is "Shrek 2" as good as its predecessor? Probably not, but it's hard to complain for two reasons: 1) the original "Shrek" set the bar very high, and 2) the sequel doesn't miss the mark by much. If there's nothing here to equal the exciting dragon battle or the heartbreaking beauty of Rufus Wainwright's "Hallelujah," the excellent animation, clever writing, and talented cast still make this a good movie in its own right.
Just as the original "Shrek" poked fun at traditional fairy tales; "Shrek 2" skewers the modern fairy tale: the belief that money, status symbols, and most importantly, beauty can be combined to create happiness. It is a notion that is still force-fed to the public via "Extreme Makeover," "The Swan," and countless magazines. The land of Far, Far, Away, where much of the film is set, is clearly modeled on Hollywood (complete with mountain sign, trendy shops and restaurants, and an all-star gala covered by a Joan Rivers clone), but the satire is aimed at one of the great follies of the entire American culture--and, perhaps, of human nature in general.
Far, Far, Away is the home of Princess Fiona's parents, who have invited their little girl home to celebrate her wedding. Trouble is, Fiona (as established in the first movie), is neither little nor a girl anymore--she's a big green ogre, with a big fat green ogre husband. And Shrek, though very much in love with his wife, is still rough around the edges--though apparently a bit more lenient when it comes to company; several bit players from the first film crash at his place while the newlyweds are out of town. He doesn't get along with his father-in-law, all the more so because King Harold has made a bargain to hook up Fiona with Prince Charming.
This bargain was made with Charming's mother, the Fairy Godmother, who is perhaps the most chilling woman to aspire to that title since Terry Pratchett's "Witches Abroad." The Godmother sells happiness in a bottle, and is a firm believer in "happily ever after"--which, of course, means the princess and the prince get together, even if the prince is a pompous, vain pretty boy who wears a hair net under his helmet.
The jokes are fast and abundant in "Shrek 2"--among the gags I noticed were references to "Spider-Man," "Lord of the Rings," "Cops," "Jurassic Park," "Swan Lake," several Disney movies, and some things which will hopefully go over the heads of the younger audience members. The returning cast is as good as before, but the best of the newcomers is unquestionably Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots. A cross between Zorro and Garfield (with perhaps a bit of Inigo Montoya thrown in for spice), Puss starts off as an assassin for hire, but it isn't long before he's on Shrek's side, melting the ogre's heart with his big kitten eyes and making the loudmouthed Donkey think his position of "annoying talking animal" is in jeopardy. John Cleese and Julie Andrews are old pros as the King and Queen, and Jennifer Saunders makes for a great villianess.
The Fairy Godmother's motto is "Ogres don't get to live happily ever after," but the truth is that "happily ever after" doesn't exist--true happiness is built gradually, from within, learning to take the good with the bad. This is true for "Shrek 2" as it is in life.