First Posted: 1/15/2009
The return of the big green ogre has been a highly publicized, much-awaited event. With the overachieving success of the first 3-D animation film “Shrek,” a sequel was imminent and inevitable. But could it escape the prototypical conception that sequels are never as good as their predecessors? It tries in three ways: adding several new characters and voices, more jokes, and better computer animation.
In addition to the returning voices of Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Fiona) and Eddie Murphy (Donkey), scriptwriters Adamson, Stillman, Stem and Weiss added Rupert Everett to the mix as Prince Charming - an egotistical prince who is supposed to kiss the curse away, marry Princess Fiona and inherit the kingdom of Far, Far Away.
Prince Charming's mother is none other than the Fairy Godmother, voiced by Jennifer Saunders, who acts more like the CEO of the potion industry as she passes out business cards and stuffs sinister plots up her magic sleeve.
Energetic and quick on her wings, Fairy Godmother becomes one of the most entertaining and central characters in “Shrek 2.”
Another addition to the cast is the role of swashbuckling Puss in Boots, with the unmistakably suave Latino voice of Antonio Banderas. Having a great time spoofing his “Zorro” character, Banderas' part is the best of the lot and makes the film worth watching. Initially hired by the King (John Cleese) to dispose of the ogre Shrek, Puss - in his “Corinthian leather” boots - turns good guy, flashes those pleadingly-persuasive kitten
eyes, and joins Shrek and Donkey on their quest to win back the heart of Fiona. The voice of the moral Queen is played by Julie Andrews. Making cameo appearances are: Tom Waits as the pianist Captain Hook in the Poison Apple pub; Joan Rivers as hostess of Medieval Entertainment, and Larry King as the bartending evil stepsister with a five o’clock shadow.
“Shrek 2” tries to surpass the joke capacity of the first film and succeeds only in sacrificing quality for quantity. With the majority of the film taking place in the kingdom of Far, Far Away - a medieval version of Hollywood and Beverly Hills - the entire screen was filled with spoofs on stores, people and lifestyles. Funny, sure, but take a big slurp of that Coke because you’ll need the caffeine to keep up with this film. There is no way to possibly catch every name brand or Disney character slyly thrown into the script.
As permanent ogres, Fiona and Shrek return to her homeland of Far, Far Away to introduce her new husband to her parents. As their carriage passes through the city streets of Beverly Hills, the town is filled with storefronts like Starbucks and Old Navy and their Medieval-adapted names, and many more I didn’t have time to read. They pass Cinderella's and Rapunzel's celebrity private estates, and even find themselves involved in an episode of “Knights” (a medievel “Cops”). Shrek gets the pepper grinder in his eyes (Medieval pepper spray) and Puss gets caught with a bag of catnip in his boots while Donkey screams about police brutality.
There are references galore to pop culture phenoms such as Justin Timberlake, J Lo, and even “Flashdance.” Call me an ogre, but maybe a few less societal slaps and a little more concentration on a select few would have proven more impacting and humorous. As it stands, one hardly has time to laugh aloud before another joke is hurled across the screen.
The computer animation of “Shrek 2” certainly surpasses the first. With Puss's realistic looking cat hair and Shrek's more flesh-like skin - complete with pores and stubble - the realism is impressive. Even age spots and freckles are included on characters like the Fairy Godmother and the King. The animals' features are superb and convincing, reaffirming why computer animation, like Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” is quickly smothering the talents and traditions of hand-drawn cartoon animation. The only area left to improve on are the human extras, who appeared a bit stiff and clay-like. But, hey, with trying to fit so many jokes and references onto a screen, who has time for the extra details?
It seems like “Shrek 2” thought about everything while making the sequel: better characters, better jokes, better animation - even an upbeat soundtrack to remind you that you’re having a good time. But they forgot about improving one thing … the story. Predictable and overpowered, the moral of the story is lost somewhere between the spoofs. Even children - after stripping away the jokes they won’t understand - will have a hard time getting to the bottom of it all. For those of you who might miss it, the lesson of the film is that superficial beauty is unimportant and 'tis better to love yourself for who you are. In trying to make a movie pleasing to both adults and children, “Shrek 2” is busy and fun, yet simply “mediogre.”
Rated PG for mild sexual innuendoes, minor scary moments, and a few rude bodily functions, “Shrek 2” gets three bags of popcorn out of five.
n Kammeron Polverari writes two movie reviews a month for The Robesonian. She can be reached at [email protected]
