Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this movie has some crude potty humor and some moments of mild peril and tension. The king hires a hit man to get rid of Shrek -- luckily it's a small cat. Shrek and friends steal potions from the scheming fairy godmother. The only casualties are an enchanted character and a couple of fish.
Families can talk about struggles to get along. Why does the king really disapprove of Shrek? How are he and Shrek the same? Why does Shrek try so hard to change for his new family? Fiona's childhood room has images of handsome princes and princess all over it. Why does this intimidate Shrek? For the girls: do you have tiaras and princess toys in your room? What do you think of Fiona's decision to marry someone like Shrek instead of someone from her childhood dreams? Why do you think she'll be happier with Shrek than with Prince Charming?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Nell Minow
All you need to know is that SHREK 2 is pure enjoyment, with stunningly brilliant technology and hilarious performances. And it has a script that is filled with wit, wisdom, heart, and so-funny-you'll-have-to-see-it-twice comedy, with nonstop humor ranging from subtle and sophisticated satire to unabashedly un-subtle slapstick and potty jokes. Telling you any of the specifics before you see it would just spoil the delicious surprises you have in store. So go rent it now, and then come back and read the rest of the review.
Back already? For those who were laughing too hard to follow all of the plot, here's a summary. Shrek (voice of Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are blissfully married and honeymooning in a gingerbread house, Hansel's Honeymoon Hideaway. When they get back to the swamp, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) is waiting to welcome them home. Heralds appear with a flourish of trumpets and an invitation from Fiona's parents to a ball in honor of the newlyweds. Shrek doesn't want to go. He doesn't think Fiona's parents will approve of him. But Fiona persuades him, and they set off for Fiona's kingdom, a land called Far Far Away.
Fiona's parents, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) are a bit taken aback at the sight of the newlyweds. They were expecting a human princess married to Prince Charming, not two big green ogres.
The queen sees how happy Fiona is and tries to adjust, but the king, pushed by Fairy Godmother (voice of Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders) does everything he can to get rid of Shrek, even hiring a hit man, or, more properly a hit cat -- none other than the swashbuckling Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). But the bigger obstacle to the couple's living happily ever after is Shrek himself, who worries that Fiona would be better off married to a handsome prince. So he sets out in search of a magical solution.
And before we get to the happily-ever-after ending, there will be encounters with characters from the first film, including Pinocchio, the three pigs, Sleeping Beauty, and the Gingerbread Man, and a bunch of new characters, including a growly voiced wicked stepsister (Larry King!) and a very vain Prince Charming, who tosses his hair in slow motion (Rupert Everett). The movie manages to make fun of just about everything, including its fairy tale sources, and yet be so resonant of the true themes of fairy tales that it is genuinely touching.
The technology continues to be astonishing. The surfaces and textures are eye-poppingly vivid, almost more real than real. The movie has breathtakingly beautiful backgrounds, exquisite detail, and characters so magnificently yet subtly expressive you expect to see them interviewed by James Lipton on Bravo. The voice talent is spectacular and perfectly integrated with the expressions and gestures of the animated characters. It's going to be hard to think of the dashing and brilliantly funny Banderas as anything but a cat from now on.
There is a lot to look at, but there is even more to feel, with characters so tender and charming that you will cheer for a happily-ever-after-ending -- and cheer even louder at the announcement of Shrek the Third.
Families who enjoy this movie may also enjoy the original Shrek and Pixar animated classics like Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Families with younger children will enjoy some of the books by William Steig, who wrote this story, especially Slyvester and the Magic Pebble.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentPlenty of innuendo, especially when Donkey and Shrek take the potions and become "sexy." Some ogre kissing, and mermaid kissing. Pinocchio can't lie that he's wearing ladies' underwear. |
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ViolenceComic violence, no one hurt except a giant gingerbread man. |
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LanguageSome mild naughty words: "ass," "oh my God," etc. |
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Social BehaviorShrek learns to accept himself. Some crude potty humor. |
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CommercialismPlenty of fake commercialism in the commercial district of Far Far Away: retail shops, a version of Starbucks, and fast food. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoBrief drug joke -- but the drug is really catnip. |
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