People will pay more to be entertained than educated. - Johnny Carson
I don’t lecture and I don’t grind any axes. I just want to entertain. - Gregory Peck
=========================================================
INTRODUCTION
Entertainment is not always about logic and filling cinema. Many people go to movies to have a hearty laugh and a refreshing feeling. While critics can crucify certain popular movies for whatever reasons, a popular movie with wholesome entertainment will always be a box office winner. The reason to that is the fact that not all moviegoers are critics. Saying that, Hollywood is the best place for movie strategies. Compared to the movie industry across the world, the profitability of Hollywood movies is tremendously huge compared to the others.
“Shrek 2” is a classic example for the same. Made at a budget of 75 million, it has already grossed $318 million in US alone. It is well on its way to dislocate “Finding Nemo” as the best animated movie and it can dislocate “The Passion of the Christ” as the highest grosser for the year so far. It does have a lot of competition in the form of Spidey and all.
Why “Shrek 2” is a success, why is it so popular? Does it offer a lot for you? Let us analyze the same in the review. This is done after couple of trips to the theatre
=========================================================
PLOT
Shrek 2 starts where Shrek left off. It briefly tells about the story of princess Fiona and her curse. You see Prince Charming expecting to give first kiss to Fiona after a long journey, only to find that she is honeymooning with Shrek. Fiona is invited by her father to return to the kingdom of “Far Far Away”. Little do they know that her curse was lifted. The king naturally becomes angry and is summoned by Fairy Godmother and is reminded about his past. He goes to the great Ogre Slayer, Puss in the Boots to kill Shrek. Puss in the Boots becomes loyal to Shrek after he hauls him. Shrek and his friends try to get the magic potion from Fairy Godmother and Shrek and Fiona become beautiful. The rest of the story revolves around this theme for a fairy tale ending.
=========================================================
ANALYSIS
“Shrek 2” is all about entertainment. It has many places where one has a hearty laugh. S2 makes spoofs a lot of pop-culture in the western countries. It has a lot to offer to people from all lifestyles.
It has a lot to offer to the kids.
~ Be it sheer enjoyment of watching a good animated film
~ Watching fairy tale characters on Screen
~ Nice actions by the characters that makes them laugh.
On the same note it sends a lot of false information in the form of entertainment.
For Adults, this movie has a lot and lots to offer. The mockery of many favorite things in life, at least in a US perspective, can be seen throughout the movie.
~ The way the kingdom of “Far Far Away” depicted in a spoofy way similar to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Sunset Boulevard is. Even the king’s palace is somewhat similar to Disney Land, not far away from LA.
~ The shops such as Burger Prince (Burger King), Olde Knavery (Old Navy), Saxon Fifth Avenue (Saks Fifth Avenue), Versarchery (Versace), Gap Queen (Gap Kids), Farbucks Coffee (Starbucks) and Friar’s Fat Boy (Big Boy) all reminds a moviegoer about the popularity of brands in western world (Don’t know if they got any money in the form of sponsorship).
~ The portrait of Sir Justin (Timberlake of NSYNC) in Fiona’s room is funny
~ The musical spoof of the British Royal Family by the Fairy God mother is hilarious
~ The case of Mondays remark by puss in the boots is very funny
~ Spoof of the OJ Simpson Chase (when Shrek and his friends get caught), The Lord of the Rings (Initially when Shrek and Fiona get married) , Indiana Jones ( When Puss in the boots goes back to get his hat), Mission Impossible (when Pinochhio and his friends try to rescue Shrek), Spider man (when Fiona kisses Shrek when he is hung upside down on a tree) is absolutely hilarious.
~ A scene involving the primetime COPS montage is also funny
~ The advertisement hoardings and spoof of the Oscar awards is very funny.
~ The seven-year itch spoof involving Fiona is hilarious too
~ The scene involving Livin La vida Loca is funny.
I have only included a partial list of great laughs you get in this movie. All in all, if you know many facts about these pop culture and events, Shrek 2 is an exceptional entertainer.
For the first time filmgoers and who do not know about this pop culture and about the first film, it is a nice love story with many hearty laughs all along. Shrek 2 has a nice story (not very strong) in an animated manner. The love, the turmoil between the couples is picturized beautifully too.
For Trivia lovers, Shrek 2 is a treasure hunt. I absolutely loved it.
Some CONS
~ Lack of solid story at the cost of some compromises
~ Unwanted disrespect to some great movies
~ The competition between Disney & Dreamworks Animation is quite evident in this film
~ Some scenes are not suitable for kids
~ Logical flaws when merging multiple fairy-tale characters
In the end, Shrek 2 is a great movie, in my opinion. Do not miss it at any cost
CAST AND CREW
Mike Myers has done an exceptional task as Shrek. Cameron Diaz is nice a Fiona. Eddie Murphy is as annoying as donkey, as in the first part. John Cleese as the king and Jennifer Saunders as Fairy Godmother have given a great voice to the film. The catch of the film is Antonio Banderas as Puss In Boots. He is hilarious and his timing is perfect. Most of the credit goes to the CGI animators who have done exceptional job.
Story and Screenplay is nice and is bearable. The dialogues are somewhat exceptional.
Direction by Andrew Adamson , Kelly Asbury , Conrad Vernon (He has given voice also, Gingerbread man, Muffin Man and Mongo) is great.
Everything is exceptional about this film. For more details go to https://shrek2.com/
=========================================================
CONCLUSION
Shrek 2 is all about wholesome entertainment. The animation is so great that you forget you are watching an animated film. Hollywood animation has almost reached a point where they do not need any actors. I happen to see the trailer of “The Polar Express” and Tom Hanks was animated to the best possible way, as if he is alive. Shrek 2 has broken all sorts of technological barriers and the film is too great to be missed. If you want an extremely good time with family, go for it. You always have Harry Potter as an alternative. Believe me S2 is all about wholesome entertainment
Shrek 2 is TWO THUMBS UP. See it today.
I Hope you liked my review. Do Comment, if time permits
KALIL
=========================================================
What the mass media offer is not popular art, but entertainment which is intended to be consumed like food, forgotten, and replaced by a new dish - W H Auden
We really need only five things on this earth: some food, some sun, some work, some fun and someone. --Unknown