The Garfield Easter Egg You Likely Missed In Shrek 2
Given its heartwarming story and copious jokes, it's easy to see why "Shrek" was such a hit when it first came out. Its ability to create a plethora of memes has ensured its legacy remains intact, and what's even more astonishing is how the original film spawned one of the greatest sequels in the history of animation.
"Shrek 2" follows up the first's legacy by pushing forward with the characters established. This time around, Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) go to visit Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) parents for the first time. While there, they also encounter Fiona's Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), who wants Fiona to marry Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). As such, Shrek and Donkey will have to team up with Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and some old friends to foil her plans to make sure they retain their happily ever after.
While "Shrek 2" adds more elements to the franchise, it still has everything fans came to expect out of the first film, including numerous references to pop culture. Even today, some jokes may have gone over some viewers' heads, such as one blink-and-you'll-miss-it gag about one of the most famous cats in history — Garfield.
Puss in Boots hates Mondays, too
The "Shrek" movies are mostly known for parodying fairy tales, and while there are plenty of classic children's references in the sequel, there are also jokes made at the expense of more contemporary projects. You'll find bits about everything from "The Price is Right" to "Seinfeld," and if you listen closely, you may have caught a joke referencing a certain orange tabby cat.
It perhaps should come as no surprise that Puss in Boots gets the line making fun of Garfield. After all, they're both precocious tabbies, but they have more in common than just their coats of fur. In one scene, when Puss is drinking some milk at a bar, he exclaims, "I hate Mondays." Anyone who's read a Garfield comic panel knows just how much the feline detests the first day of the workweek, and it seems he shares that opinion with Puss in Boots.
That's just one of many references found in "Shrek 2." If you pay close enough attention, you can also find jokes at the expense of "The Wizard of Oz," "The Seven Year Itch," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and so much more. With this level of attention to detail, it's no wonder "Shrek 2" has endured through all these years.