Shrek 2
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Annabelle Robertson
Entertainment Critic
Release Date: May 19, 2004
Rating: PG (for some crude humor, a brief substance reference and some suggestive content)
Genre: Adventure/Animation/Famil y
Run Time: 105 minutes
Director: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon
Actors: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Saunders and Rupert Everett
Really good films are oh-so-rare these days, so when one combines top-notch writing, excellent acting, a positive message and brilliant satire about pop culture, I can’t help but rave. I’ve also never been a fan of animation, but I am now.
Shrek (Mike Myers), the green ogre from the swamp, has married his bride, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz). The two enjoy a romantic honeymoon and return home, where Donkey (Eddie Murphy) awaits. When an invitation to a wedding ball arrives from Fiona’s parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far Far Away, the honeymoon is over. The couple bickers then packs their bags, with motormouth Donkey in tow.
As they step onto the red carpet, the entire kingdom gasps. Apparently, Mom and Dad had no idea that their precious daughter had become a full-time ogre, nor that she had married one. Over dinner, Shrek shows terrible table manners and the king (John Cleese) criticizes him harshly. The queen (Julie Andrews) tries to keep things under control, but that night, her husband steals off to the Poison Apple Inn and hires renowned ogre-assassin, Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas). Along with Fiona’s scheming fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders), he wants Fiona to marry Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), who just happens to be the godmother’s perfect, though terribly vain, son. Feigning reconciliation, the king persuades the trustful Shrek to meet him in the woods for a hunt.
Puss is unable to do the job, however, in a moment of cat-like weakness. Shrek shows him mercy, sealing their friendship. Donkey is jealous, but helps Shrek break into the godmother’s castle to steal some “Happily Ever After” potion, which transforms Shrek into a handsome prince, Donkey into a beautiful steed and Fiona back to her beautiful self. But before Shrek can return to Fiona, the godmother tricks her into believing that Prince Charming is Shrek.
“Shrek 2” offers a strong message about making marriage work, despite differences and difficulties, the need for forgiveness and the dangers of manipulation. Witchcraft, long the bastion of fairy tales, is much more than potions and spells. If we focus on the mythical black hats and cauldrons, we miss its underlying reality, which is about manipulation and control of others – exactly what the godmother and the king want to do. So, while spoofing fairy tales like Pinocchio and the Three Pigs, “Shrek 2,” also shows witchcraft for what it is – sinful selfishness. It reveals the dark underbelly of magic and the occult by showing us the devastating consequences of influencing others for selfish reasons, whether we do that with potions or just with words.
The film also alludes to cross-cultural marriages and racism. With everyone trying to tear them apart, Shrek and Fiona must fight an uphill battle. But fight they do, and we can only applaud their success, which waves the banner for marriage, against all odds. Both, but especially Shrek, demonstrate what it means to forgive. The film also attacks our cultural obsession with beauty. Shrek and Fiona are overweight and homely, and thus receive scorn for not fitting the prevailing (yet ever-shifting) cultural definition of “beauty.” They nevertheless make a counter-cultural decision which goes against Hollywood’s usual fairy-tale ending. In a time when many long to receive an “extreme makeover,” Shrek and Fiona tell us that it’s okay to be who we are, with all of our physical “flaws.”
The acting is fabulous, with great lines and attitude from Donkey, courtesy of Murphy. “I’m sorry,” he says to the interloping Puss, “but the position of annoying, talking animal has already been taken.” When Puss tries to give Shrek advice, Donkey quips, “If we need an expert on licking ourselves, we’ll give you a call.” Banderas, as Puss, is also wonderfully self-deprecating, mocking Latino machismo with great humor.
The most brilliant part of the film is its deconstruction of our materialistic postmodern culture. In the Kingdom of Far Far Away (which has it’s own “Hollywood” letters on a hill), we see palm trees, mansions and a slew of trademarked signs that include Farbucks Coffee, Saxxon Fifth Avenue and the Pewtery Barn. Great music, including the theme from “Mission Impossible” and Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca,” add to the effect. The film alludes to movies as well, with scenes that spoof “Flashdance” and “Ghostbusters,” among others. A character gripes about his Miranda Rights. Employees complain about lack of healthcare. The godmother acts like a godfather, complete with henchmen. News choppers report an escaping “white bronco” (an allusion to the O.J. car chase) as Shrek and Donkey sprint through the woods. Frankly, the dialogue is positively inspired, with dozens of cultural references to amuse adults – so listen carefully.
A couple of objectionable – and unnecessary – elements are worth mentioning. Pinocchio is a cross-dresser who is caught wearing women’s underwear (he lies about it and his nose grows). The fairy godmother writhes on a piano, singing a sexy song. And, Larry King plays a cross-dressing ugly stepsister/bartender.
Otherwise, this film is a great send-up of who and what we’ve become. Well done, DreamWorks. This is the best film I’ve seen all year.
OBJECTIONABLE CONTENT: | |
• = Mild •• = Average ••• = Heavy •••• = Extreme | |
Adult Themes: | •• |
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Proverbs 19:20-21
be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the
Lord's purpose that prevails."
--Proverbs 19:20-21
advice and make grandiose plans. The wise man reminds us that
wisdom comes from submitting to instruction for a significant
period of time and then, only at the end of long listening,
does it come. If you are like me, you would do much better to
let your plans ripen a bit more in the light of the Lord before
you launch into them. I am comforted that James, the wisdom
writer of the New Testament, reminds us that God will give that
wisdom if we seek it and not doubt.
MARRIAGE TAKES 3
MARRIAGE TAKES 3
Marriage takes three to be complete;
It's not enough for two to meet.
They must be united in love
by love's Creator, God above.
A marriage that follows God's Plan
takes more than a woman and a man.
It needs a oneness that can be
only from Christ. Marriage takes three.
Beth Stuckwisch
This is soo true ya'll!! :-) God Bless!!
YSIC
Heather
Purity Contract
Purity Contract
I, ________________________
commit on this day: _________________________ ______
to keep my heart and body pure until I am married. I know that sex is a gift that
God gives to a married man and woman. I will trust God to bring the right man
along when He thinks I am ready. I will not put myself in situations where I will
be tempted. I will take any impure thoughts to Jesus in prayer.
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
To Print:
Left click your mouse and drag to highlight the text of the contract only.
Click file then print and click on SELECTION on the print options.
The contract will print without anything else on the page.
© 2003 www.girlsoffaith.com
The Future of Marriage: Is it Becoming Extinct?
The Future of Marriage: |
Some of the modern, liberal thinkers of our day have said that marriage will one day become extinct. They've predicted marriage will slowly but surely be thought of as old-fashioned and unnecessary despite its current popularity and existence throughout human history. Perhaps their predictions are based on the changes in the way society views love and marriage. During the 1960's, society showed us a picture of love somewhat unfamiliar to American culture at that time. The popular love stories of the day began focusing only on passion and held an attitude that said, "I'm not committed to you but I am having a great time with you sexually and romantically. I like how you make me feel right now. But who knows what I'll feel tomorrow? So let's not make any kind of commitment to each other but just enjoy this moment." Novels, newspapers and other forms of media touted this as the ideal kind of love. A direct correlation can't be proven, but during that time the divorce rate skyrocketed and has remained high until today. That warped concept of love taught us that if we can't have all the passion and pleasure we want from one person, we can always find someone else who will give it to us. Perhaps that is why some marriage researchers tell us that today 6 in 10 marriages at some time in the course of the marriage are affected by extra-martial affairs. Before this infatuation-based love concept, the majority of American society saw marriage as a commitment that was kept often in the face of obstacles and tough times. Unselfishness was the key to marriage then and the focus was on the big picture of "till death do us part" and raising children in a home with a mom and a dad. According to the Census Bureau, the number of children living with only one parent has increased from 9% in 1960 to 28% in 2002. This statistic is discouraging news for those of us who support commitment-based, traditional marriage. The infatuation-based, passion-only ideal of marriage is certainly alive and well today, but that doesn't mean committed, unselfish love is dead or dying. The Benefits of Marriage Because of my belief in God and His message to us in the Bible, I believe He placed the desire for a committed relationship with a member of the opposite sex in each of us. I don't believe men and women will give up the benefits of traditional marriage relationships even though it is under fire now. There are too many positive side-effects that marriage provides society for it to be tossed aside. Though I cite the Bible's recipe for marriage and believe it because of my Christian faith, modern research also tells us that the marriage of one man and one woman provides benefits to the couple and any children they might have. Research suggests that: -Married people live longer and generally are more emotionally and physically healthy than those who aren't married. I believe God knew these benefits existed with the marriage of man and woman and that is why He instituted it with the first man and woman (Adam and Eve). Modern research also supports the Biblical-based concept of marriage as the ideal environment for a loving relationship of man and wife--and for stable, happy, well-adjusted children. Because humans need the security and committed love that marriage offers, I believe it will continue to be the backbone of society until the end of time. "Marriage should be honored by all..." (Hebrews 13:4). |
Romans 5:3-4
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope.
--Romans 5:3-4
fleas." The fleas kept the German soldiers out of the barracks
in the concentration camp where she was imprisoned. This
allowed her to minister and visit with those who were being
persecuted. There she could show and share Jesus.
Rejoice!!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!
--Philippians 4:4
knowing that he always accompanies, sustains, helps, protects,
and upholds me. How can we not rejoice?
"Finding Sure Footing in a Slippery World "
"Finding Sure Footing in a Slippery World "
by Rachel Olsen, Speaker Team Member
Certified Speaker
| Key Verse: He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:2 NLT |
CRACK – I heard bone break while sharp pain spread through out my foot. A few weeks ago, I rearranged our living room furniture, and then promptly forgot where I had placed it and walked right into my sofa. My whole right foot swelled and bruised within seconds of making contact. It seems I had also rearranged the toes on my foot! A cast was not necessary but I was now sentenced to wear flip-flops everywhere until my toes healed – including to the beautiful banquet that weekend where I was the keynote speaker. It’s hard to feel sophisticated, authoritative, spiritual or convincing standing before 250 well-dressed women in your flip-flops. God has his ways of keeping us humble. No long after that, some good friends planned a gathering to celebrate my birthday so I climbed into my husband’s new car, and headed out for lunch with the girls. The entrance to our subdivision sits on one of the few hills in this beach town. I came to a complete stop, my car leaning forward down the hill, as I waited for a break in the busy traffic. Suddenly my flip-flop-clad foot slipped off of the break and I rolled into the line of traffic. Looking out the window, I saw cars headed for me in both directions. With the sandal hanging half off my foot and my broken toe now throbbing, I began stomping around in a panic, searching for a pedal that would deliver me from death. If the crash didn’t kill me, I feared my husband might! My husband’s new car was a manual transmission with a clutch, so my impulse to hit the gas once I was in the middle of traffic only sent me into a near stall. I thought, “Oh God, help me!” I managed to find the clutch and the gas and started moving forward again. I remember watching out the window as the car slowly picked up speed, wondering if I was going to make it to the other side of the road before the on-coming traffic made it to me. Thankfully, I made it. I caught my breath, praised God for his protection, took off my flip-flops and drove barefoot to the restaurant. Before I placed my life in the hands of Jesus Christ, it was a series of crashes and near misses. I thought I was capable of driving my life. I thought I was well in control, but my foot kept slipping off of the break when I should’ve been staying put, out of danger. I kept stalling out when trying to move forward to do good. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t even sure where I was ultimately going. All I cared about was having a good time with my friends. I didn’t know just how near I was to death. Then, Jesus lifted me out of the mud and mire I kept involving myself in and gave me sure footing on solid ground (Psalm 40:2). Are you in need of a similar rescue from the slippery slopes of this world? Since the day I relinquished control to Jesus, my life has been rearranged. It is much more comfortable, pleasing and beautiful this way. Today, I am no longer in the driver’s seat of my life. I’ve handed over the keys to Jesus Christ and together we’re cruising a narrow path with light traffic and great scenery (Mt 7:13). The ride can get bumpy at times, but I know I can fully trust my navigator. After all, He has driven this road before. I also take pleasure in knowing my final destination will be nothing short of paradise.
My prayer for today: Heavenly Father, there are so many troubles, trails and temptations in this life. Take and keep the key to my heart. Set me and keep me on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. May my direction in life be determined by your perfect will, and my decisions be made according to your holy word. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Application Steps: Take a few minutes to search the scriptures for guidance and pray regarding any problems you are facing today. |