What we flagged
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Our take
Shrek 2 is a funny fairy tale about accepting who you are. Swordplay, cartoon scuffles, and a giant gingerbread figure bring brief, noisy danger that may unsettle little children. Some cheeky adult jokes and a seedy tavern will mostly pass over younger heads, and language stays very mild. We put it at around 6 and up for most primary-age children.
Uplifting themes
Strong messages about loving people for who they are, not how they look. Shrek learns he does not need to change himself, and the couple works through insecurity with honesty Shrek and Fiona stay loyal to each other through real doubt, and Donkey and Puss come through as friends. Some characters are vain or scheming, so the models are a mix
Story (may spoil tone)
Happily ever after never seemed so far far away when a trip to meet the in-laws turns into a hilariously twisted adventure for Shrek and Fiona. With the help of ever-faithful Donkey, Shrek takes on the potion-brewing Fairy Godmother, pompous Prince Charming, and infamous ogre-killer Puss In Boots.
What we flagged
Details
Violence The comedy runs on fantasy scuffles. Puss draws his sword, knights braw…
The comedy runs on fantasy scuffles. Puss draws his sword, knights brawl, a giant gingerbread creature smashes through the castle, and the Fairy Godmother fires off magic blasts. It is all cartoon action with no real injury
Language There is a comic use of bloody and a little hell. The words are mild an…
There is a comic use of bloody and a little hell. The words are mild and used for quick laughs
Sex / nudity Mostly sweet romance between Shrek and Fiona, with true love's kiss dri…
Mostly sweet romance between Shrek and Fiona, with true love's kiss driving the plot. A couple of cheeky adult gags land over kids' heads, like a line about wearing ladies' underwear
Drugs / alcohol A seedy tavern, the Poison Apple, sets a grown-up backdrop, and Donkey…
A seedy tavern, the Poison Apple, sets a grown-up backdrop, and Donkey jokes about a crowd getting drunk. The drinking stays in the background and is never the point
Frightening A few loud, dramatic turns may unsettle little ones. The Fairy Godmothe…
A few loud, dramatic turns may unsettle little ones. The Fairy Godmother turns menacing, the potion factory feels tense, and the towering gingerbread giant looms over the kingdom. The scares pass quickly
Bullying / discrimination Prejudice against ogres runs through the story. Fiona's parents recoil…
Prejudice against ogres runs through the story. Fiona's parents recoil at Shrek, townsfolk treat him as a monster, and Prince Charming sneers. The film clearly lands on the side of acceptance
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- Shrek almost changes himself to be accepted. What would you tell a friend who felt they had to do that?
- Fiona's parents judged Shrek before knowing him. Have you ever misjudged someone by how they looked?
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Shrek 2
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