May 21 Toon Talk: From the Other Side: Shrek 2

Originally Posted By Doobie

This topic is for discussion of the May 21 article: Toon Talk: From the Other Side: Shrek 2 at <a href="News-ID280220.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID280220.asp</a>.

 

Originally Posted By Inkan1969

You go, Kirby.

 

Originally Posted By LPFan22

I couldn't help but see the humor in the red haired mermaid incident. Good article. Hubby and I found the movie to be quite enjoyable.

 

Originally Posted By lady_tramp

I have to say my wife and I did enjoy the movie last night. I was particularly happy that there weren't as many Disney references this time. Loved the article, Kirby... and the feline list afterwards! Don't forget Dinah from Alice in Wonderland and Cat from The Black Cauldron. (Not sure if Pom Pom from Cinderella II counts). Also, if animated cats from non-Disney films count, there would be the cast of Gay Purr-ee and the feline stars of Cats Don't Dance.

 

Originally Posted By Sir_Clinksalot

Kirby, nice review, even if I don't totally agree with it. I would have given the movie higher than a "C", but that's just my opinion. I'm not the reviewer here.

I didn't notice any animation flaws, and was actually kind of glad that they didn't try to improve on the characters themselves. It would have taken away from the magic of the first.

And why is everyone so upset about the mermaid scene???

 

Originally Posted By arstogas

I agree with Kirby regarding the animation of human characters... they were very plastic and stiff in the first film, and they remain almost as much so in this one. Again, I think it's a result of too many tech schools turning out animators, instead of traditionally trained animators pushing the computer tools to better effect.

However, I don't agree with his overall bland assessment of the film's entertainment value. I was not a fan of the first one, but I have to say I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Though the story has its antecedents, so much of it is told in such a fresh and stumble-free way, with a breeziness and real heart - it deserves the great success it's enjoying.

Funny - I think my biggest laugh was at Puss' "I hate mondays" line.

 

Originally Posted By jdub

>>Funny - I think my biggest laugh was at Puss' "I hate mondays" line.<<

That was pretty funny, alright.

 

Originally Posted By Ursus J Bear

Ahhh, Kirby - the voice of sanity.

A "C" is about right. I'd say C-

 

Originally Posted By arstogas

^^^Voice of sanity? That's a bit ridiculous, isn't it?

The film got a 91% on Rottentomatoes, representing 146 positive reviews out of 161... The general public and the general critical consensus, considerably contravenes the notion of a "c" or "c-". But it's a free country, and a critic on a Disney website is certainly entitled to disparage a film, particularly a film that takes giddy joy in slapping Disney in the face, both with its content and its success.

Voice of sanity. Yup.

 

Originally Posted By Ursus J Bear

^^^ SO if all the people jumped off a cliff, would you to??


For me, the movie was too deriviative. Using scenes from other movies for a gag may be good once, but to have a whole movie that is nothing but. Outside of the recycling (which makes The Lion King look like an original Fellini masterwork) the story is basic TV level sitcom.
I did like Puss N Boots, the voice was wonderfully done.

 

Originally Posted By Inkan1969

It's not ridiculous at all, arstogas. I'm glad to see someone stand up against the moronic bandwagon that's undeservedly gone behind "Shrek 2".

 

Originally Posted By u k fan

I haven't seen Shrek 2 as it's not released here yet, but I always trust Kirby's reviews and wouldn't even consider the fact that because were on a Disney Fan site it would be biased.

Alot of us here are animation fans in general with a slight leaning to Disney!!!

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

Have you even seen the movie, Inkan?

I have no qualms with people liking it or not for whatever reason. But because I truly enjoyed it I am now on a 'moronic bandwagon'? How insulting is that?

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

>>Alot of us here are animation fans in general with a slight leaning to Disney!!!<<

Guilty as charged, and yet I really enjoyed Shrek 2. But then again, I was hogtied to that bandwagon and all...

 

Originally Posted By Inkan1969

Kar2oonMan, well I thought arstogas's post itself sounded unjustifiably derogatory to Ursus. He can't dismiss negative opinions of the movie just like that.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

Have you seen the movie, Inkan?

 

Originally Posted By arstogas

Unjustifiably derogatory? Did you READ what Ursus wrote? "A voice of sanity" - which implies that anyone LIKING the movie (and I didn't particularly like the first SHREK) is INSANE. Or at least, deluded. THAT, my friend, is derogatory and slighting in the extreme. Perhaps you didn't consider that.

>>>SO if all the people jumped off a cliff, would you to??<<<

In this case, the cliff is about two feet high, and the jump ends in a refreshing, giant pool. Sure, I'd take that jump. It's a good one.

Enough of the not-too-well-thought-out cliches, okay?

>>>For me, the movie was too deriviative. Using scenes from other movies for a gag may be good once, but to have a whole movie that is nothing but.<<<

Please, offer three. EVERY film has derivative elements. It's the dressing, the grace with which those elements are restructured and embellished, which shows craftsmanship.

There's a saying in my business - you're going to steal, so steal from the best. In SHREK2, they really did steal from the best, so much so that the derivative elements don't get in the way of entertainment value.

It's very clear there's a bias here, and not a very polite one, at that.

And I repeat K2M's question. Have you seen it?

 

Originally Posted By arstogas

>>>Guilty as charged, and yet I really enjoyed Shrek 2. But then again, I was hogtied to that bandwagon and all...<<<

Yes, and of course, you're insane, too.

Would you like to hold my straightjacket as I jump off the cliff into the pool?

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

As soon as I find a place to hang my Napoleon hat.

 

Originally Posted By Inkan1969

Arstogas I see your point that the "sanity" comment might've been indelicate. But I think Ursus still has a point that popular opinion isn't enough to make a movie good. I sure as heck don't think this is a "two foot jump". :-(

There are three derivative gags in just the first five minutes alone. The "From Here to Eternity" scene, the "One True Ring" scene and the "Spiderman Mask", the last two being especially pointless and witless.