Following their honeymoon, Shrek and Fiona receive a royal invitation to the Kingdom of Far Far Away to celebrate their marriage with Fiona's parents, the King and Queen. However, the reunion turns sour when the monarchs discover their son-in-law is an ogre and their daughter has chosen to remain one. Threatened by Shrek's presence and bound by an ancient promise, the King enlists the help of a Fairy Godmother, the dashing Prince Charming, and a legendary ogre-hunter named Puss in Boots to undo the "happily ever after," forcing Shrek to go to great lengths to prove his love.
Information |
|
|---|---|
Language |
English |
Country |
United States |
Premiere date |
May 19, 2004 |
Running time |
93 minutes |
Genre |
Animation Adventure Comedy Fantasy |
Budget |
$150,000,000 |
Box Office |
$928,760,770 |
Crew |
|
Directed by |
Andrew Adamson Kelly Asbury Conrad Vernon |
Produced by |
Aron Warner David Lipman John H. Williams |
Written by |
Andrew Adamson Joe Stillman J. David Stem David N. Weiss |
Music by |
Harry Gregson-Williams |
Cinematography |
N/A (Animation) |
Edited by |
Michael Andrews Sim Evan-Jones |
Production Co. |
DreamWorks Animation PDI/DreamWorks |
Distributed by |
DreamWorks Pictures |
Top Cast |
|
|
|
Official Trailer |
|
Movie Collection |
Movie Order: #02 in Shrek Collection
|
The Plot
The Prince's Missed Opportunity
The film opens with Prince Charming riding gallantly to the Dragon's Keep, embarking on a mission to rescue Princess Fiona from her tower. Narrating her backstory and his intended heroic deed as he travels, he braves the elements to reach her chamber. However, upon arrival, Charming is shocked to find the bed occupied not by a princess, but by the Big Bad Wolf. The Wolf casually informs the confused Prince that Fiona has already been rescued and married, and is currently away on her honeymoon. The scene shifts to a montage set to the song "Accidentally in Love," showcasing Shrek and Fiona enjoying their romantic honeymoon together.
An Unexpected Houseguest and a Royal Invitation
When the newlyweds return to their home in the swamp, they are surprised to find Donkey inside, who had purportedly been managing the house chores in their absence. Shrek attempts to kick him out to enjoy some privacy with his wife, but Donkey refuses to leave, claiming he has been "moody" due to relationship troubles with Dragon. Just as Donkey finally agrees to give them space, he returns seconds later to announce the arrival of a Royal entourage.
The visitors present a formal invitation for the newlyweds to attend a Royal Ball hosted by Fiona's parents, King Harold and Queen Lillian, in the Kingdom of "Far Far Away." Shrek is immediately reluctant, fearing that her human parents will not accept him or their daughter's permanent ogre form. However, Fiona insists, and Shrek eventually relents. Together with Donkey, who complains incessantly about the journey's length, they set off in the onion carriage.
Arrival in Far Far Away
Upon arriving at the Royal castle in Far Far Away, the kingdom celebrates with the release of doves to honor the couple. However, the festivities come to a screeching halt when Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey step out of the carriage. The gathered crowd falls into a stunned silence, and Fiona's parents are visibly shocked to see that both their daughter and son-in-law are ogres. King Harold is particularly repulsed by the sight.
The tension culminates during a family dinner. While Shrek attempts to be polite, Harold makes several passive-aggressive remarks, remaining unconvinced that an ogre is right for his daughter. The conversation escalates into a heated argument between Shrek and Harold, resulting in a chaotic mess of the dinner table. Upset by the fighting and the lack of acceptance, Fiona leaves the room in tears, heading to her balcony.
Tears, Fairy Godmothers, and Broken Promises
While Fiona cries on the balcony, the Fairy Godmother appears in a bubble, attempting to cheer her up with magic and promises of luxury. Fiona interrupts, revealing that she is already married. The Fairy Godmother is stunned, and her shock deepens when Shrek appears, confirming he is the husband. Shrek abruptly ends the meeting, stating they are packing to leave. Before departing, the Fairy Godmother hands Fiona her business card.
Back in their room, Shrek and Fiona have a significant argument. Fiona expresses her frustration, hating how Shrek is behaving like a typical aggressive ogre. Shrek retorts that he cannot change who he is. Fiona counters by reminding him that she changed her entire form for him. Even Donkey disapproves of Shrek's behavior, leaving Shrek feeling ashamed. Meanwhile, Queen Lillian tries to reason with Harold, reminding him that Fiona's happiness should be their priority, referencing their own history. However, Harold is soon accosted by the Fairy Godmother and her son, Prince Charming. She angrily reminds Harold of an old deal: that her son, Charming, was destined to marry Fiona. She demands Harold fix the situation and get rid of Shrek.
The Assassin at the Poison Apple
Harold goes to "The Poison Apple," a tavern for villainous fairytale characters, where the bartender, an Ugly Stepsister named Doris, advises him on how to handle the ogre problem. Doris connects Harold with a specialized assassin. Later, Harold returns to the castle and apologizes to Shrek, inviting him on a morning hunting expedition as a peace offering to bond. Shrek, eager to make things right for Fiona—especially after reading her childhood diary and seeing she was once infatuated with Prince Charming—agrees to go.
Puss in Boots and the Potion Heist
The next morning, Shrek and Donkey find themselves lost in the woods where they are ambushed by Puss in Boots, the assassin hired by the King. Despite Puss's sword-fighting skills, he is no match for the ogre. Shrek subdues the cat, who immediately breaks down, begging for mercy and revealing that King Harold paid him to kill Shrek. Instead of exacting revenge, Shrek spares Puss, who then pledges his loyalty to Shrek as a way to make amends.
Desperate to become the husband Fiona desires, Shrek decides to seek the Fairy Godmother's help. The trio uses the business card to locate her massive Potion Factory. The Fairy Godmother dismissively refuses to help Shrek, coldly stating that "Ogres don't live Happily Ever After." Undeterred, Shrek, Donkey, and Puss sneak into the Potion Containment Room. They steal a potion labeled "Happily Ever After" and escape. The Fairy Godmother discovers the theft but realizes she can use this turn of events to her advantage.
The Transformation
Back in the woods, Shrek and Donkey drink the potion, but nothing happens immediately. Disappointed, they seek shelter in a barn as it begins to rain. Suddenly, the potion takes effect, causing both Shrek and Donkey to faint. Simultaneously, back at the castle, the magical link causes Fiona to faint as well. When they awaken the next morning, the transformation is complete: Shrek is now a handsome human man, and Donkey has become a noble white stallion. They discover that Fiona has also returned to her human form. The potion comes with a warning: in order to make the change permanent, Shrek must kiss his true love by midnight.
Deception and Heartbreak
Shrek returns to the castle to reunite with Fiona, but the Fairy Godmother intercepts him. She manipulates him into believing that Fiona would be happier with Prince Charming. She tricks Shrek into leaving, while Prince Charming poses as the "human version" of Shrek to woo Fiona. Fiona is confused and put off by this "new" Shrek's arrogant personality, but Harold, pressured by the Fairy Godmother, urges her to give him a chance.
Shrek, believing he is doing what is best for Fiona, sits dejected at the Poison Apple. However, the King, Queen, and Fairy Godmother arrive for a clandestine meeting. The Fairy Godmother gives Harold a "Love Potion" and orders him to put it in Fiona's tea so she will fall in love with the first man she kisses—Charming. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss overhear this plot. Harold protests, not wanting to violate his daughter's free will, but the Fairy Godmother threatens to take away his own "happily ever after" if he refuses. Shrek and his friends are discovered and arrested by the Royal Knights.
The Rescue and The Siege
While imprisoned, Shrek's friends back in the swamp—Gingy, Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs, the Three Blind Mice, and the Big Bad Wolf—see a broadcast of Shrek's arrest on "KNIGHTS" (a parody of the show COPS). They immediately travel to Far Far Away to break them out. After freeing Shrek, Donkey, and Puss from the dungeon, the group realizes they need a miracle to storm the castle during the Royal Ball. They visit the Muffin Man, who bakes a giant gingerbread man named Mongo.
Leading Mongo to the castle, the giant cookie helps them breach the defenses. Although the guards pour hot milk on Mongo, causing his arms to detach and eventually leading to his demise, he manages to lower the drawbridge long enough for Shrek and Donkey to charge into the ballroom. Meanwhile, inside, Harold prepares the tea for Fiona but, seeing her unhappiness and hearing her wish for her "old Shrek" back, he swaps the cups at the last second.
The Clock Strikes Midnight
Shrek bursts in just as Charming kisses Fiona. He expects her to fall in love with the Prince, but instead, Fiona looks confused and then knocks Charming out with a powerful headbutt. The Fairy Godmother is furious. Harold reveals he did not give Fiona the love potion. Enraged, the Fairy Godmother attacks Shrek with her wand. Harold dives in front of the spell, using his armor to deflect the magic back at her. The Fairy Godmother disintegrates into bubbles and foam, leaving only her glasses and wand behind.
Harold, struck by the magic, is transformed back into his true form: the Frog Prince. He apologizes to Shrek and Fiona, giving them his blessing. Lillian reassures Harold that she loves him regardless of his appearance. As the clock strikes midnight, Shrek tells Fiona that if they kiss now, they can stay human forever. Fiona, looking at her husband, decides she wants to live happily ever after with the ogre she married. They let the clock ring out, transforming back into ogres, while Donkey returns to his normal self.
The Party and A Surprise Ending
With the truth revealed and the villain defeated, the kingdom celebrates with a massive party. Shrek and Fiona dance into the night. After the festivities wind down, a lonely Donkey is singing to himself when Dragon arrives. She reveals a surprise: a litter of flying, fire-breathing "Dronkeys" (Donkey-Dragon hybrids). Overjoyed, Donkey embraces his new role as a father.
