"Shrek" was a lark, a satirical cartoon with little depth. It existed mostly just to NOT be something: to not be Disney,
to not be syrupy, to not be polite. That a sequel to such a one-shot idea could expand on its predecessor without merely repeating it is surprising, but that is what "Shrek 2" does. "Shrek 2" is comfortable in its own green skin. It is not desperate to prove its rebelliousness. It's content to take its funny characters, put them in funny situations, and let the story occur naturally. As a result, the story is more cohesive, and in many ways more amusing than the first film. It doesn't feel like a parody anymore, but like an actual self-contained narrative. Computer-animated even better than last time, Part 2 begins with Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) returning home to the swamp from their blissful honeymoon. They are soon greeted with an invitation to visit Fiona's parents, the king and queen of Far Far Away, so that they and their subjects may greet the new prince. Shrek is hesitant, assuming Fiona's and his ogreish appearance will put off the Far Far Awayans. Fiona insists her parents wouldn't be so shallow. They head off to Far Far Away, with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) tagging along, naturally.
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