“Shrek” was the surprise hit of 2001. Earning $260 million in U.S. box office alone, DreamWorks executives knew a follow-up was in order. What made “Shrek” such a hit lies in the fact that it appealed to both children and adults. The fairy tale characters in “Shrek” were figures almost everyone knew and grew up with.

In the movie industry, sequels are rarely as entertaining as their predecessor. Too often, they are poorly executed derivatives or complete cash-ins with the name recognition. Fortunately, “Shrek 2” is not one of these. DreamWorks wisely worked hard to keep the quality and production values of the first “Shrek” by providing what the audience wanted: more of the same.

That means more farting and burping gags, more of Donkey’s (Eddie Murphy) non-stop, and at times, annoying chatter, more twisted takes on traditional fairy tale characters and more of the blooming relationship between Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Shrek (Mike Myers).

“Shrek 2” starts almost right after the end of “Shrek.” Shrek and Fiona are married and enjoying their honeymoon. The first five minutes are the opening spoofs from at least five other films. Some are genuinely funny, but in most cases, they are tired material.

Upon returning to their home in the swamp, the couple gets an invitation from Fiona’s parents, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) of the Kingdom of Far, Far, Away. Like the first movie’s jab at a certain magical theme park, the Kingdom of Far, Far, Away is modeled after Hollywood. From their first meeting, Shrek and King Harold provide some of the movie’s biggest laughs. The dinner scene fight between the two is one of the movie’s highlights.

It turns out King Harold originally promised Fiona’s hand in marriage to Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), a shallow pretty-boy brat. When Prince Charming’s mother, the villainous Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), learns about Shrek, she is furious and demands Shrek be taken out of the picture. In comes Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas), an assassin hired by King Harold. This orange cat is a welcome addition, although Donkey, the original sidekick, loses a bit of the spotlight he enjoyed from the original.

One of the striking differences between “Shrek 2” and its antecedent is the pacing. “Shrek 2” is much more fast-paced and action-oriented.

Due to the faster pacing, one area that has suffered is character development for the supporting cast. For example, Donkey is nothing more than a chatterbox and the butt of “ass” jokes.

Overall, these little quips do little to tarnish the movie’s enjoyment. The first was a highly entertaining movie, and “Shrek 2” is on par, if not better, with the first one’s quality.