Shrek 2 (2004)

Susan Granger's review of "Shrek 2" (DreamWorks)

'Back to Once Upon a Time as the dazzling sequel begins where the big, green ogre left off.

When Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) return to the swamp from their blissful honeymoon, they discover two surprises. Donkey (Eddie Murphy) has moved back into their hovel and Fiona's parents, the King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews) of Far Far Away, want to meet their new son-in-law and host a wedding celebration. "Trust me, it's a bad idea," Shrek astutely warns, but soon they're off - with Donkey, whining: "Are we there yet?"

Unable to hide their shock and disappointment, the King and Queen offer a less-than-warm welcome to the newlyweds. Terrified by threats of reprisal from Fiona's furious Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), who wanted Fiona to marry her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), the King hires an assassin, the notorious Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas), to eliminate the "ogre problem." So lovable Shrek has his hands full, trying not only to survive but to keep Fiona's love, particularly when he's told, "Ogres don't live happily ever after." Prepare for many cool surprises.

Writer/director Andrew Adamson and creative cohorts embellish the fairy-tale parody with satirical homages to classic movies. Guillaume Aretos' production design and Harry Gregson-Williams' music are top-notch. Lampooning his Zorro-persona, Antonio Banderas is hilarious, as are Larry King and Joan Rivers in cameos. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Shrek 2" is a raucously funny, deliciously irreverent 10. My only reservation is that I may have missed some sight gags, deft puns and sly innuendoes, so I've got to see it again. I predict this family-friendly comedy will outdraw, outperform and outlast all the competition this summer. The ogre rules!

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X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1281847
X-RT-TitleID: 1132597
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X-RT-AuthorID: 1274
X-RT-RatingText: 10/10