Shrek 2 - Cultural References

Cultural References

Like its predecessor, Shrek 2 also acts as somewhat of a parody film, targeting adapted children's fantasies (mainly those adapted by Disney); and like other DreamWorks animated films, also features references to American popular culture:

• The character design of the mermaid that washes up on Shrek in the beginning of the movie bears heavy reference to Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid.
• Elements and landmarks that make up the Kingdom of Far Far Away bear reference to respective elements and landmarks of Southern California, particularly those those of the Los Angeles area. For example, the kingdom features a "Far Far Away" sign obviously modeled after the famous Hollywood Sign; and the restaurant King Harold, Fairy Godmother and Charming "drive thru" is a reference to the Southern California restaurant chain, Bob's Big Boy.
• The character Puss In Boots is based on Zorro. His behavior references Zorro as he appeared in the 1998 film, The Mask of Zorro. Also in the late 1950s, Zorro was adapted by Disney into a television series of the same name.