Big, Green and Unpretentious

I took a break from packing last night to watch Shrek 2. I haven't seen the first one but was utterly charmed by the second. The jabs at Disney and the altered scenes from other movies (LOTR, Ghostbusters, Pretty Woman, etc.) were truly delightful and I found the stress of moving evaporating as I lost myself in the cartooned hijinks. Antonio Bandares as the formidable Puss-in-Boots made me howl with laughter; kudos to DreamWorks!! I was impressed with many things about the story but the one that stood out the most was that the characters are far more realistic (true this is a fairy tale and animated) Instead of male characters built like Gold's Gym Cavemen, they're shown in a realistic light with pot bellies, farting, burping etc. Female characters aren't whittled down to Barbie-like dimensions-it was refreshing. Go figure, an animated film that doesn't show women with legs up to their armpits and men who actually resemble real men?! Something struck me as I pondered the immense creativity that went into making this amazing film. I wanted a man like Shrek! An unpretentious, good hearted, wise cracking, flawed, guy who enjoys mud baths-yep, that's the man for me. It doesn't bother me that he lives in a swamp, rides around in a giant onion and has an ass for a friend (could this possibly be more realistic ladies?) I don't care if he's 6'7" and an allarming shade of green, what lies beneath is far more important to me. I do have one pet peeve that I cannot discount, men chewing with their mouths open. I can see what's for dinner by looking at your plate bub-I have no desire to watch the meal being masticated between your jaws.