Typical sequel

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 2004)

I don't know why SHREK 2 is so popular. It has none of the originality of the first SHREK -- or FINDING NEMO or THE LION KING or MONSTERS, INC., all of which it may very well surpass in box office revenue. Shrek is no longer an ogre (ashamed to admit he lives in the swamp?!), Donkey is no longer an ass (his lovability is assumed), character motivation is dispensed with (Fiona bears no ill will toward her parents for isolating her in a tower?!), and what some here call "satire" is about as pointed as a hairball (Far Far Away is like Hollywood, get it?).
The first SHREK immediately charmed with its unexpected joy in the grossness of an ogre's life, and it sustained a compelling emotional tenor about how such a one who repels others can ever find true happiness. The resolution to that dilemma was surprising and gratifying. SHREK 2 lacks any emotional resonance and simply re-uses pre-sold characters to put over obvious jokes. It's not totally dismal -- some of the jokes and new characters are intermittently amusing -- but it's hardly enchanting. If the filmmakers want to create a sequel that is worth imitating instead of just a series of imitations, they should take a good, hard look at TOY STORY 2 before they start on SHREK 3.
As an aside, I agree with the poster who deemed BROTHER BEAR the best animated film of the past year and disagree with another's assessment that DreamWorks can now go toe-to- toe with Disney/Pixar. One franchise does not a dynasty make.