| Shrek
2, The
Movie
Remember
the "happily ever after" feeling you got after the
first Shrek movie? Shrek 2 reveals that there are
more challenges facing the adorable couple, Shrek and Fiona,
who prove once again that beauty comes from within. One
of the suspenseful and surprising moments in the original
film came when the enchantment placed on Princess Fiona was broken
and she was transformed —permanently— to her true
form...an ogre! This was all fine and dandy for Shrek and
friends, but what would her parents think of this
transformation? This question is answered in the sequel.
And, viewers learn more details about the original
enchantment--who exactly was behind it, and for what gain. Shrek
2 begins with the happy couple on honeymoon. They arrive
home from the honeymoon to find Donkey, Shrek's charmingly
annoying animal friend, holding down the fort. |
Shrek 2 - Cast
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They are then
officially summoned to the kingdom in Far Far Away Land by
the King and Queen themselves — otherwise known as Mom and
Dad to Fiona. Shrek is less than thrilled about meeting Fiona's parents, but they set
out on their long journey anyway, with Donkey in tow, while the Fairy
Tale creatures "take care of" their home.
The multi-layered humor of the film is outstanding. Most of it is
directed at adults, although children find much to giggle about.
Some of the fun lines include the Queen telling her husband,
"Stop being such a Drama King!"; Shrek, after borrowing
clothes from a few men, says, "Some day I will repay you — unless of course I can't find you or I forget." Shrek asks
Gingerbread Man if he still knows the Muffin Man, and the
Gingerbread Man replies, "Yes, he lives down on Drury
Lane".
Although most
good children's movies have something for adults, Shrek 2 contains
more humor for adults than most. There's an O.J. Simpson
reference, for example, when a copter reports "a white Bronco
heading north" (Shrek is riding a white horse). In a
"Cops" spoof, Puss in Boots claims, "That's not
mine" when a bag of catnip is pulled from his pocket.
Frequent jabs at Hollywood, multiple pop culture references,
plenty of double-entendres, and
some cross-gender jokes are included. Note that not all parents
will find the humor tasteful.
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Shrek 2 - Puss in Boots
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The Dreamworks
animation is even more impressive than that of the first Shrek film. The
supporting characters are fantastic, with Puss in Boots (voiced by
Antonio Banderas) stealing the show. Kids and adults alike can't
get over the cat's adorable expression when he uses his
gigantic kitten-eyes to inspire sympathy. Viewers are treated to the
shenanigans of the Three Blind Mice, Pinnochio, and other fairy
tale creatures as well. |
It is
inevitable that this sequel will be compared to the original. For
the first thirty minutes or so, I thought the movie lacked some of
the charm of the first Shrek, but as Shrek 2 moved along I
realized that there is no real comparison to make. This movie has
a different energy, feel, and edge, even though it carries a
similar message. Shrek 2 is simply fun at first, and then quickly
becomes high-energy, spirited, and downright hilarious.
 Shrek
2 is now available on DVD and VHS!
For
more information, user reviews, or to buy:
Shrek 2
(VHS) or Shrek 2 (Full Screen Edition),
Shrek 2 (Widescreen Edition)
(DVD) at Amazon.com.
To order in Canada:
Shrek 2
(VHS) or Shrek 2 (Full Screen),
Shrek 2 (Widescreen)
(DVD) at Amazon.ca.
Shrek
2 Computer and Video Games
 Shrek
2 games by Activision are now available for the PC, Nintendo's
GameCube, GameBoy Advance, PS2, and XBox.
Shrek 2 takes
players on a twisted fairy tale adventure with Shrek and friends,
revisiting locations from the movie sequel while
discovering all-new locations and characters.
Players can control their team of four and play as Shrek or
any of his 10 friends, switching between each to best utilize the
character’s unique abilities to solve puzzles, fight monsters
and complete wild and dangerous adventures. Humorous dialogue,
multiplayer options, and mini-quests are featured. The screenshot
shown here is from the GameCube version.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Shrek 2 (PS2), Shrek 2
(GameCube), Shrek 2
(XBox), Shrek 2
(GBA) or Shrek 2: The Game ( Windows ) (CD-ROM).]
  Our
kid testers enjoyed Shrek 2 CD-ROM version, although they expected more from the graphics,
and preferred the console versions (the console versions offer
more options and are slightly easier to play). However, they find
the gameplay absorbing. Although the voiceovers are not from the
original cast, the actors have done a good job. Players control
different characters, such as Shrek (in both ogre and human form), Donkey, and Puss in Boots, at
different points in the game. They use magic potions to defeat
enemies, beat up evil trees, use cherry bombs, and more. Note that
the game
is chatty and the humor is irreverent ("Who's stupid
now?" and "Take that you psycho fruit tree" says
Donkey, for example).
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Shrek 2
(CD-ROM)]
Shrek 2
Soundtrack
 The
soundtrack for Shrek 2 is fun for both kids and their parents.
It's an upbeat compilation of songs that include Frou Frou's
version of Holding Out for a Hero, a cover of David Bowie's
Changes, Eddie Murphy doing Livin' La Vida Loca, and
a fabulous song performed by Counting Crows, Accidentally In
Love, just to name a few.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Shrek 2 (with bonus magnet)
(CD-ROM)]
See also: The
Road Trippin' Back-Seat Shrek-tivity Book.
Learn with Shrek: Shrek 2: 2nd
Grade, for the LeapPad and Quantum Pad:
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