I Watch Films: Shrek 2

 

Shrek 2

At the end of Shrek, Shrek (an ogre) got married to Princess Fiona (breaking her curse so she’s an ogre all the time). They receive an invitation to stay with Fiona’s parents, the king (Harold) and queen of the kingdom of Far Far Away. This looks and is loosely based on Hollywood in Los Angeles. The king and queen are shocked to discover that Shrek is an ogre and the curse breaking hasn’t made Fiona human all the time. Shrek, large, oafish, breaks things and argues with the king who is rude.

Meanwhile Prince Charming is surprised to discover that Fiona has been rescued from her tower as he thought he was the one to rescue and marry her. He consults his mother, the Fairy Godmother and they come up with a plot to get rid of Shrek.

Fairy Godmother threatens the king, they had an agreement that Charming and Fiona would marry. Shrek discovers Fiona’s childhood diary where she wrote about how she liked Charming. The king hires notorious outlaw Puss In Boots to assassinate Shrek. This doesn’t work, and Puss reveals all. Shrek, his sidekick Donkey, and Puss break into Fairy Godmother’s potion factory where they discover a Happily Ever After potion.

Waking, Shrek and Fiona (still at the palace) are now human, Donkey is a stallion. To make it permanent they need to kiss their true love before midnight. Discovering the theft Fairy Godmother comes up with a cunning plan; she sends Charming into the palace claiming he’s Shrek having drunk the Happily Ever After potion. When Shrek arrives she shows him Fiona and Charming happily together and he leaves.

Fiona’s not that easily fooled; she knows something is wrong. The Fairy Godmother brews up a love potion, which Shrek, Donkey and Puss overhear. They have to break into the castle, where celebrations leading to Charming and Fiona’s wedding are taking place, defeat the Fairy Godmother and make a decision about their happily ever after – before midnight.

A fun sequel, one that engages a little with the idea of bringing home an ogre as a husband. A kids’ film, the allegory is a light touch. Both Shrek and the king behave badly! Not as badly as Charming though.

Watch This: Enjoyable kid’s animated comedy about family problems, acceptance and true love
Don’t Watch This: Very silly misuse of fairytale ideas