So much fun! (SOME SPOILERS!!)

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2004)

Normally, when I go to the movies I tend to pay attention to the technical details, story and dialog structure. Then I'll critique it... I've been told I'm one of the worst people to watch movies with, never really wanting to give myself over to pure escapism. Having survived 4 years of film school, I've emerged a woman who cannot give herself over to fantasy; films are academic now. I'm an active movie goer. I'm a cynic. A critic. A film weenie. Shrek 2 made me believe again! From the opening frames, I was laughing my ASS off and fell into the world of Far Far Away. I loved all the random pop culture references like the 2 "Farbucks" Coffee houses across the street from each other, the Stonehenge poster and the blatant LOTR spoofs! The cast was amazing... Jennifer Saunders was refreshing as the overbearing, dieting Fairy Godmother and John Cleese made a wonderfully neurotic King Harold and of course Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots. The complex and stunning animation is accented by an eclectic soundtrack. There is a great scene where you can see animated dust filtering through shafts of light. Look for an appearance from Tom Waits! Nice touch! Although the story was fairly predictable, the premise fits perfectly as all of us know the fairy tales on which Shrek is based and references. A beautiful story, great for the old and young alike, a true post-modern fairytale.