Shrek 2 - Yay or Nay?

[kirby]

Right, this is clearly the most important question we are gathered here to answer.

We all know Shrek 3 and 4 are awful and any discussion of them should result in a banning in my opinion, but what are people's thoughts on Shrek 2? It's a good film sure, but just how good? I personally really enjoy it and would put it around the same height as the first one, but I've heard some people who aren't fans at all. Is Shrek 2 more of the ogrelord we know and love, or a disappointing mess?

Let's take a look at the stats:

	Shrek 1	Shrek 2	Shrek 3	Shrek 4
IMDB	7.9	7.2	6.0	6.4
Rotten Tomatoes	88%	88%	40%	58%

Close indeed, but these reviews have nothing on our level of dedication. What do you guys think?

[starfahx]

I actually didn't get around to watching Shrek 4 until very recently, and was surprised that it was much better than I had anticipated. I mean, still kinda awful, but not awful-awful. Shrek 3 remains as one of my least favourite thing ever, and probably sits lower on my list than The Room.

I don't have many strong memories of Shrek 2. I haven't watched it in forever, and personally just always loved the first one so much that it kinda sits in the "this was probably a great film but I don't really remember it because I would rather re-watch the original" category.

[Boasting Toast]

Shrek 2 is amazing, might even be my favorite one. With the great character development between Shrek and Fiona's family, the kingdom becoming endangered and everyone working together in the end, it was great. Not to mention the introduction of Puss into the series.

[Lord Ape]

I am a supporter of Shrek 2, finding it to be a more than worthy sequel to the first. Not only does it further the story, but expands upon and develops all of our beloved characters. While 4 was a far cry from how bad number 3 was, it still was nowhere as original or brilliant as the first two.

I think as well as debating the standing of all of the Shrek films, it is important to establish our opinion on Shrek The Musical. I foresee a rift forming over this one, but I think that the musical does a wonderful job of bringing our favourite ogre to Broadway and beyond. The production values are amazing, including the costumes, sets, puppets and use of a rotating stage. On top of this, clever theatrical techniques are used at multiple points during the musical (see Lord Farquaad being played by a man on his knees and the use of tap dancing behind a curtain to create dancing rats). The songs themselves are fantastic, and tell a story that retells Shrek in a new way, but also expands upon the lore (for example the origin story of Farquaad and Shrek.

Finally, the musical wouldn't be Shrek without its dry humour. At one point Fiona dances with an inflatable deer, and later Farquaad refers to his stage prop horse by name as "Plastic Horse."

[KingRui]

Shrek 2 is a based-ass film, the ending was actually superb and let's not forget the amazing collaborative song sung by all the characters we care about at the end. Perfection.

Also, the musical is nothing less than the most perfect stage production ever thought up by man, the shocking twist of who Farquaad's father has kept me in state of shock since I saw it. 9/2

[A51 Trooper]

Shrek 2 is easily the best of all the films they made so far.

[that guy who's absolutely pissed off]

Jul 9, 2015 17:17:19 GMT starfahx said:

... probably sits lower on my list than The Room.

The Room is the single greatest piece of comedy ever written, intentionally or not.

Shrek 2 > Shrek 1 but they're both great. I'd say similar to how The Empire Strikes Back > A New Hope.

[Rubbermaid]

I might be the only one (so far) who prefers the original to Shrek 2. The tension in Shrek comes from the budding romance of Shrek and Fiona, whereas the tension in Shrek 2 is from the threat to their relationship, which just doesn't warm the cockles of my heart in the same way as the first. The world of Shrek 2 is also a lot busier and bigger than the simple onion-fields of the original, which again makes it feel that bit less relaxing to watch.
Basically, nothing compares to my feels during the frog-balloon scene.

[m0th64]

I vote for Shrek 2. One of my favorite animated movies tbh.

[kirby]

Nov 24, 2015 0:35:59 GMT Rubbermaid said:

I might be the only one (so far) who prefers the original to Shrek 2. The tension in Shrek comes from the budding romance of Shrek and Fiona, whereas the tension in Shrek 2 is from the threat to their relationship, which just doesn't warm the cockles of my heart in the same way as the first. The world of Shrek 2 is also a lot busier and bigger than the simple onion-fields of the original, which again makes it feel that bit less relaxing to watch.
Basically, nothing compares to my feels during the frog-balloon scene.

I think I'd agree the first is better in terms of film making - they weren't trying to make a 'franchise' out of it yet and it's just a simple story that - as you said - focuses more on the character relations (so much so that I Am Legend uses it to mirror how those characters feel), but I think as a kid I preferred and am therefore more nostalgic for 2, I think maybe my age aligned up better with the target than the first, I remember being pretty young when the first came out.