Arguably better than the first - Shrek 2 Reviews

I finally realized why I am tired of all those "Naked Gun" and "Scary Movie" flicks. (Yes there is a point.) The problem with these flicks, is that they throw everything at you but the kitchen sink but there is really no rhyme or reason to what they throw out there. Sure some of it may actually be worth a giggle or too, but it sooner or later all comes down to the same question that rarely ever gets answered... "What's the point?" I'm sure you're asking the same about this review, so here it is. Wether you notice or not, Shrek II, and to a lesser extent the original, is a really funny gag film in disguse. What makes it funny, is that the gags actually have a point, and are are an essential part of the story, rather than just thrown on the screen to distract you from the actual story line. This is average length film that pokes fun of movies (Ghostbusters comes to mind), places (The Hollywood Bowl), Events (The O.J Simpson chase), Pop Culture (Starbucks), Personalities (Joan Rivers), and anything else you can think of. Plus, you still get the same hillarious main charecters and supporting Fairy tale creatures from the first, Not to mention a even more hillarious new charecter. Of all people, you get Antonio Banderas voicing a feline assasin named "Puss in Boots" in what is obviously a good natured jab at his "Mask of Zoro" movie from a few years back. Even the same gags from the first movie get an enhancement of sorts. Yes, the scenes with Fiona's parents, not to mention the whole subplot of Fiona and Shrek as humans, let just a bit of steam out of the full blown nuttiness, but hey, the story still held together quite nicely. In short, Although I am cautiously optimistic pending the arrival of "Shark Tale" in October, Shrek II is a shoe in for best animated feature just like the first. Not only the first to get the award, but quite possibly the first to sweep as well. In all honesty, superior animated films are getting fewer and further between these days. One can only hope that more Studios will make an honest effort to produce better quality films of this sort(Take a hint Disney). It seems however, that what I'm asking for appears to be a monumental task for even the best animators these days.