‘Shrek 2’ should keep millions of fans happy

How did I miss the “Shrek” gene?

Somehow the ability to love this movie franchise has eluded me. Millions of children and adults, gifted with the proper green genetic material, disagree.

The first “Shrek” was, no doubt about it, a very clever film, with brilliant computer animation. It also had some terrific vocal performances, especially Eddie Murphy’s, and funny Hollywood in-jokes aimed at Disney.

The overriding spirit was satirical, as the movie (based on a book by William Steig) debunked the various conventions of fairy tales. All well and good, but it was also a little jokey and slick.

A billion dollars later, here’s “Shrek 2.” It loses gas from the first go-round, since there are fewer fairy-tale targets to hit this time. It is technically very well made, made me laugh a few times, and I basically didn’t connect with it. Therefore it should be huge.

The plot this time is more of a sitcom affair. Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers, keeping his Scots accent), a cranky green ogre, has married his true love Fiona (Cameron Diaz), who, at the end of “Shrek,” changed from a beautiful fairy princess into a green-skinned ogre-like (and happy) lady.

The big issue here is that Fiona’s royal parents (Julie Andrews and John Cleese) invite the happy couple to visit their castle in Far Far Away. Of course they don’t know their daughter’s new husband is a real ogre.

So there’s a bit of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” when the Shreks hit town. Naturally, they are accompanied by Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek’s insecure and talkative sidekick.

New to the proceedings is Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas), a swashbuckling kitty with a lethal rapier. But he turns out to be a pussycat.

He also turns out to be the best new thing about the sequel, partly because of Banderas’ witty vocalizing. Other new characters include a nasty fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders) and a prince Charming (Rupert Everett) utterly lacking in charm.

The script has lots of anachronisms, a parody of “Cops,” and jokes about Pinocchio wearing women’s underwear. There are references to “Rawhide” and “Hawaii 5-O.” Pop songs such as “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “Funkytown” litter the soundtrack, eliciting an immediate audience response.

I guess this is the kind of stuff that bugged me a little about the first “Shrek.” It’s like sitting down to watch a classic Disney cartoon and finding out that Robin Williams will be re-interpreting it.

But it’s entertaining, no doubt about it. And the computer animation is even more astounding here than it was in the first movie – there’s a scene in which a storm transforms the sky that looks absolutely stunning.

It’s flabbier than the original film, with fewer laughs, and the sense of discovery is gone. And with that, I cease my ogre-like grousing and surrender: Go out and enjoy this movie.

Associated Press / Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures

Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) thinks Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) is an adorable little kitty cat and decides to keep him, in this scene from “Shrek 2.”

“Shrek 2” HHH

To Far, Far Away: A sequel to the monster hit, flabbier than the original but chock-full of pop references and Hollywood in-jokes. This time the Shreks (voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz) travel to meet her parents. Best new character: Antonio Banderas as Puss-in-Boots.

Rated: PG rating is for subject matter.

Now showing: Alderwood, Edmonds, Everett 9, Galaxy, Marysville, Mountlake, Olympic, Stanwood, Cinerama, Metro, Oak Tree, Woodinville, Cascade, Oak Harbor Plaza.

“Shrek 2” HHH

To Far, Far Away: A sequel to the monster hit, flabbier than the original but chock-full of pop references and Hollywood in-jokes. This time the Shreks (voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz) travel to meet her parents. Best new character: Antonio Banderas as Puss-in-Boots.

Rated: PG rating is for subject matter.

Now showing: Alderwood, Edmonds, Everett 9, Galaxy, Marysville, Mountlake, Olympic, Stanwood, Cinerama, Metro, Oak Tree, Woodinville, Cascade, Oak Harbor Plaza.