SHREK II (2004)

SHORT REVIEW: Post-modernism at its most self-referential and annoying worst. I really hated this piece of crap. I know this is a very successful film and people loved it. I am not one of those people. Honestly, I think films like this are quite damaging to our culture. This film is another in the new string of post-modern family films. These films (Shrek, Robots, Shark Tale, Cat In The Hat) are thinly veiled attacks set up to usurp traditional morality. They push relativist morality, sneer at traditional life and disdain for all authority beyond one’s nature. These “kid films” also are littered with blunt sexual and drug references, and poop humor. Shrek II is the king of these post-modern films. It pushes the notion that we should trust in our natures over our traditions. The characters find happiness in themselves over accepting the tenets of society. Can societies be wrong in their thinking? Yes, without question. But Shrek and the rest of these films push the blanket notion that traditional society is always wrong. The individual and his singular truth are always right. This is a deadly message to offer to children. You may disagree with me and believe me to be over reacting to the philosophical tenets of this film. I will maintain that kids movies like this do more damage to a young child’s mind than a violent film where there are well-defined good guys and bad guys. At least with the violent film, the child learns the values of good and evil. This film wouldn’t make such a old fashioned distinction. The film itself was cleverly put together and delivers a few laughs. This movie isn’t as funny as you may have heard and it certainly isn’t worth the hype it has received. Antonio Banderas as Puss N’ Boots is a spot of inspired casting, but the jokes with this character (as with the rest of the film) are quickly overdone and repetitive. This is a worthy sequel to a film that wasn’t worthy of having one. RELATED REVIEWS: Other off-color kids movies The Cat In The Hat (2003) Robots (2005) Categories: film, kids movie, DVD, Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Shrek