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Think back to 2001. Directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and studio Dreamworks had a noble vision - to tread on the holy soil of animated blockbusters, so often pounded flat by the feet of the Disney studio. Their bizarre blend of fractured fairy tale, pop culture references, and humor everyone could enjoy in their masterpiece Shrek proved to be a classic in ogre's clothing - and, apparently, a lucrative franchise. Now, three years later, parents and preschoolers alike can rejoice, for Shrek, Donkey, and all the rest have returned for another, sweeter, go-round.

Shrek 2 opens just as the original did - promising a by-the-storybook fairy tale romp, and smacking all of us in the face with its brazen wit and smart humor. Shrek (Mike Myers doing his favorite impression of his father) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz, enjoyable as always) are back from their honeymoon and are immediately invited to Fiona's parents' place for dinner. Mom (Julie Andrews) and Dad (John Cleese) are understandably surprised at their daughter's being an ogre and her choice in Prince Charming, and what results is a particularly funny Meet the Parents-esque dinner party. Turns out that Dad was in cahoots with a Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), and Fiona was supposed to marry a real Prince Charming (Rupert Everett, simply dripping with sleaziness and hair gel). The King has to get rid of Shrek, and the only way is to hire a hitman - or cat, rather. Enter Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas, playing off his role in The Mask of Zorro), ogre-killer extraordinaire. What ensues is best not ruined by spoilers, but every scene is packed with humor, as was expected.

I must say that Puss in Boots was quite possibly my favorite character (gotta love the way he carves the letter “P” in the tree trunk). The Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming were wonderful (a prince who wears sparkly cherry lip-gloss - priceless!) as well. Eddie Murphy speaks (sorry, no pun intended) for himself. Wow. Gotta love him!

There were quite a few comments and suggestions that made me raise my eyebrows. A bit of potty humor, a lot of innuendo. I'm not saying it was bad, of course, just surprising. The dog that pees as it sees Shrek throwing himself off the stage at it. Pinocchio - who grabs his crotch as he dances. However, I'd still recommend it to anyone and everyone!

The first Shrek movie was a milestone in animation; not only delivering something the kiddies love to watch, but their parents love to watch too - maybe more than their children. The sequel is more of the same, but better. The animation is crisper, the tone is sweeter, and the pop culture references are even better - everything from The Lord of the Rings to COPS is spoofed (after sniffing a pouch found on a feline felon, an officer declares, "Catnip." "Uh, that's not mine..."). There are a few more off-color jokes to be found, but thankfully, most of it will go right over toddlers' heads.

The closing scene of Shrek featured the song "I'm a Believer." The point of the movie was summed up in the lyrics: "I thought love was only true in fairy tales/Meant for someone else, but not for me." It said that love was out there for everyone, even the most beastly of ogres. Shrek 2 takes this concept a step further - having found that love and holding onto it with all you've got. The title character wants nothing more than to be with the person he loves the most - and he is willing to go to unspeakable ends to do so. After the events of the last few years, this is just the sort of message we all need. And Shrek 2 is just the cinematic jewel to do it.