Shrek 2 addresses the myth about living "happily ever after" by exploring the challenges of in-laws. The viewer is shown a realistic version of what happens after courtship and marriage, the idea being that you don't just marry your spouse, you marry their whole family. While it is implied that a parent's blessing enhances a romantic relationship, Shrek 2 proposes the idea that preserving a marriage is more important than dissolving it to satisfy a selfish parent. In this case, King Harold works hard to get Shrek out of the picture so that Fiona can wed Prince Charming, but Fiona decides to stick with her ogre husband, and the "ugly" couple's happiness seems to reinforce the belief that it's what is on the inside that counts, and physical looks shouldn't matter.

The third Shrek movie continues the natural progression of Shrek's adult life. After falling in love and getting married,...
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