When it comes to sequels, I’ve learned to be wary. Too many of my favorite movies have been sullied by the bitter aftertaste of a studio’s weak attempt to “improve upon” (more truthfully, “cash in on”) an original success. If you don’t believe me, watch “Men in Black” and “Men in Black II” back to back. Or “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” (Bleh. I can’t go on – I’m feeling ill.)

The hype leading up to “Shrek 2” gave every sign it could easily achieve new depths of disappointment. When every consumer product from breakfast cereal to sheets and pillowcases features Shrek’s big, green, ugly underbite, you’ve got to wonder whether the studio’s trying to “compensate for something,” in the ogre’s own words.

But wonder of wonders – it’s actually good! Funnier, even, than the original. The trio of Shrek, his princess-turned-ogre bride Fiona, and perennial tagalong Donkey (voiced by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy) take up right where the first movie left off, opening with a montage of scenes from Shrek’s and Fiona’s honeymoon.

Upon their return home, they’re met with a royal summons to attend a ball thrown in their honor by Fiona’s parents, the king and queen of Far Far Away. Positive his new in-laws won’t like him, Shrek reluctantly agrees to go, and the dinner scene that follows could have been copied from a textbook on dysfunctional families. John Cleese provides the perfect voice for Fiona’s narrow-minded father, and Julie Andrews is regal and pragmatic – if underutilized – as the levelheaded queen.

Three new characters add some edgy spice to the family drama. Jennifer Saunders of “Absolutely Fabulous” fame steals the show as Fiona’s fairy godmother with a secret agenda: Her son, the vain and egotistical Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Ev-erett), was supposed to be the one to rescue Fiona and live happily ever after. And as the swashbuckling Puss in Boots, Antonio Banderas sounds like he’s having a blast mocking his own Zorro character.

Like in the first Shrek movie, the background visuals are chock full of sight gags and fairy tale spoofs, and the DreamWorks team takes aim at Hollywood and pop culture too. (The Magic Mirror broadcasts an episode of the reality show, “Knights,” as the F.F.A.P.D. roughly apprehends an unruly Shrek and subdues him with pepper from a grinder.) The jokes fly faster in “Shrek 2,” and the humor dares to slip in just far enough under the belt to give parents and older kids some great laughs.

As for the animation, it’s simply getting better all the time. For this sequel, Dreamworks employed a “crowd control” program that adds naturalness to the individuals’ movements in the crowd scenes, and introduced new methods of lighting the main characters’ faces and skin. The expressions of the king and the fairy godmother in particular are incredibly lifelike and entertaining.

For anyone with a soft spot for fairy tales, an appreciation for computer-generated artistry or the need for a pick-me-up with some hearty laughter, “Shrek 2” is a great escape. There’s only one down side: Think how much worse it makes “Back to the Future 2” look.

“Shrek 2”

Rated PG for some crude humor, a brief substance reference and some suggestive content.

Starring: Voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders

Directed by: Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon

Length: One hour 33 minutes

Now playing at: Astoria Gateway Cinemas, Cannes Cinema in Seaside and Neptune Twin Theatres in Long Beach, Wash.

Short take: “Shrek 2” breaks the curse of the inferior sequel with a fairy tale romp that’s edgy and fun. The original voice cast returns, along with stellar performances by John Cleese, Jennifer Saunders and Antonio Banderas. Take the kids and have a ball.

Rating: Three stars (out of four)

Movie Trivia: What is the label on the potion the fairy godmother gives to the king to make Fiona fall in love with the first man she kisses?

Answer: The potion is labeled “IX,” making the bottle “Love Potion Number Nine.”