Once upon a time, way back in the Year of our Lord, 2001, there was an anti-fairy tale love story between an ogre who couldn't care less to be a hero and a redheaded spitfire princess who didn't marry Prince Charming. Accompanying their adventure was a loquacious donkey who couldn't take a hint, and countless mythical characters from our childhood, few of them this cool (or naughty) in the thin Little Golden Books.

Shrek 2 is a fairy tale for modern audiences doped up on therapeutic mumbo-jumbo. The pretty people have emotional and attitude problems, while we �normal� folk get along fine in our own deluded world. Yeah, as if you wouldn�t trade sides just to make sure the beautiful people aren�t really that much happier. While I�m at it, could I have a million dollars, just to make sure that the rich aren�t any more satisfied with life? Consider it a social experiment, with me as your willing guinea pig. Isn�t there a reality show in this?

	Shock and Awe was the reaction when everyone learned Snow White shouldn't be wearing white, if you get my drift.

Nevertheless, Shrek 2 is consistently LOL, with more a few moments of ROTFLMAO. You'll bust a gut frequently, most notably at a spectacularly hilarious spoof of "COPS." The Poison Apple bar is another highlight, featuring Hook tickling the ivory on the piano, the headless horseman and a Cyclops, among other amusing character revelations.

Shrek was as funny a comedy as there's been in a decade, and you can be assured that the sequel doesn�t disappoint. It wasn't made to insult the audience for more cash; this animated comedy adventure is for kids and adults alike.

(Jeff note: This is the hardest kind of review for me to write and feel like I contributed to the critical world. There are only so many adjectives to let you know I had a great time at this movie. I feel like I'm stretching, and I don't want to give away any surprises. But if I didn't try hard-er, this review would end here. I'll linger for a few more paragraphs, so indulge me. . . . )

I suppose if I wanted to be a movie geek/critic, I should talk about the movie making. It's first-rate animation, but you already knew that. Computer drawn humans are getting better and better, but it's not quite there yet. Making up for it are moments the animators clearly hope to shine, from trees that look real to reflections in the water and action sequences.

The filmmakers don't spit on Disney this time, relying on pop culture to fill the void of time and place. Right off the bat there are references to Lord of the Rings and The Little Mermaid, with seemingly dozens of others so quick I need to see the movie again to catch them.

Mostly the film takes place largely in the kingdom of Far Far Away, which looks amazingly like Los Angeles, down to ritzy Romeo Drive. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams give way to grog wishes and roast pig dreams. For the kiddies, there�s plenty of bodily noise humor (we really expect our children to show proper decorum after this, eh?).

Shrek is the same ol� gruff brute, clueless Donkey�s wise cracks are frequent, but countering him is the doe-eyed Latin swashbuckling feline, Puss In Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas). The kitty almost steals the show, but that�s reserved for the Fairy Godmother, who is a real bitch (voiced by Jennifer Saunders of "Absolutely Fabulous"). You�ll love and fear her, yet really enjoy the way she can carry a tune with her magic wand.

Fiona's mom (Julie Andrews) is more peaceful than the King (John Cleese), a belligerent ogre in personality, but neither them nor the kingdom has been aprised of the lifestyle change of their daughter. Get ready for an hilarious culture clash!

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the characters learn valuable life and New Age "being yourself" lessons, but let's think about what's really important. Hip music! Like the first time around, the ending is all fun and games, including a musical number among all the characters. Be sure to stick around during the credits for an extra scene with Donkey.