Not a kids movie.

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2004)

I don't care what anyone says, "Shrek 2" is not a kids movie. Yes, of course it's targeted towards the single-digit age crowd, but while they will no doubt enjoy it, this sequel is a little bit cruder, packed with more humor, and features a more complex story without the heart of the original.
The storyline of "Shrek 2" is "Meet the Parents" plus "Beauty & the Beast" all blended together inside a Fractured Fairy Tale. Shrek and his bride Fiona venture Far Far Away (yes, that's the name of the country) to encounter her parents for the first time. Of course calamity ensues, involving Donkey, a far-from-normal Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and Puss-in-Boots, an assassin who is one of the most entertaining animated characters in recent memory. The misadventures compose the story, which won't be difficult to follow for anyone past puberty. Younger viewers may not fully understand the plot, but there is enough mustache-twirling to clarify who is doing what to whom.
What kids won't get is the pervasive tongue-in-cheek humor. I could name off a dozen movies and television shows that "Shrek 2" parodies, ranging from "Spider-Man" to "C.O.P.S." Some of these spoofs (such as the latter) are hilarious; some are predictable yet enjoyable; and sometimes they come so fast and furious that it feels like a "Scary Movie." On top of this, there are the ubiquitous visual gags. Any sign, poster, or storefront you can find is probably a medieval-ized piece of modern pop culture. For example, if you look closely, you'll spy a poster for "Lethal Arrow 4" hanging at a Tower of London Records.
Nearly all of these in-jokes are humorous, but after a while, they wear on you, revealing what is missing from "Shrek 2": the good-natured heart of the first one. In "Shrek," the edgy humor that saturates the sequel was present, but the generally good nature neutralized the sarcasm. Without that counterbalance, the unrelenting comedy eventually feels too smug. I see it as the other side of the Disney coin. For example, some criticized "Monsters, Inc." for being overly sweet and sentimental. While I fully understand those comments, you also know what you're in for when you watch an animated Disney film. Likewise with most of Dreamworks animation. Like it or not, the studio has established a precedent of edgy humor to which it adheres. I suppose I should have expected the overwhelming tongue-in-cheek nature, but for whatever reason I didn't, and that bothered me a little. But I still completely enjoyed the film. I'm the type who likes to watch what is going on in the background, and for people like me, "Shrek 2" is a feast.
The vocal work is again excellent. To complement the returning trio of Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Fiona), and Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Dreamworks has added an all-star lineup that includes Julie Andrews (Queen ), John Cleese (King), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), and Antonio Banderas, who steals the show as the swashbuckling accented feline. With such a talented cast working on good material, little is expected to go wrong, and little does from a vocal perspective.
The animation is definitely a step up from the original. Although "Shrek 2" isn't aiming for complete realism, the opening scene of a horse and rider looks amazingly good. The upgraded vivid colors continue throughout, and the character animators shine during a thunderstorm scene, as they properly portray effects of water. This isn't "Final Fantasy" of course, but it does rank with the work of Pixar, the industry standard.
When I say "Shrek 2" isn't a kids movie, I don't mean that kids won't like it, but I do mean that kids won't fully appreciate it in the way that many adults will. Those adults will still need to bring the kids in them to the movie, and with that in tow, they will be in for a rollicking two hours.
Bottom Line: Edgier than the original, but just as enjoyable, at least for adults. A low 8/10.