Inside jokes galore!

Rating: 7/10 (9 July 2004)

While the first film showcased characters and events that seemed new to us this sequel is definitely more familiar with dozens of modern references to make the most stoic of critics chuckle. Story picks up from the first film where we see newly married Shrek (Mike Myers) and his ogre wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz) receiving a summons from her parents to come back home but they don't know that she was turned into an ogre. Shrek and Fiona along with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) head to the kingdom that Fiona's parents King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) rule and when they get there everyone is in shock.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
While staying at the palace King Harold and a conniving Fairy Godmother Dama Fortuna (Jennifer Saunders) try and convince Fiona to leave Shrek and marry Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) but when this fails they hire an assassin cat named Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) but that doesn't work either and Puss travels along with him as his friend. Shrek drinks a potion that changes he and Fiona and Donkey into good looking normal beings but it must be certified by a kiss by midnight or else they will change back.
This film is directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon who altogether make this a very funny and entertaining sequel and the question comes up about whether this is better than the original. I'm not sure if it is but I do think it's funnier and there are more in-jokes in this film that it would be impossible to catch them all after only one viewing. One example is a photo in Fiona's bedroom of Lord Justin which is a reference to Justin Timberlake that Cameron Diaz is dating in real life. One thing stands out and it's Shrek himself in that his behavior and manners are different from the first film. Here he seems more domesticated and (Dare I say it?) normal. But I guess that can be explained by the fact that he's in love and marriage will change a man..er..ogre. I don't really think this effort approaches the greatness of "Finding Nemo" in terms of detailed animation and even in the basic story but this is still an extremely enjoyable film that is chock full of humor.