SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 30 Min.
Released in 2001 by DreamWorks Pictures, this animated film co-directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson adapts William Steig’s book, Shrek!
Notes: In 2002, the film received the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Different formats for Shrek include digital, Blu-Ray, 3D Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, DVD, and compilation bundles.
In the medieval kingdom of Duloc, the evil Lord Farquaad (Lithgow) exiles a wide variety of timeless fairy tale characters (i.e. Pinocchio, the Three Blind Mice, a crippled Gingerbread Man, the Three Bears, etc.) to a nearby swamp. With anti-social ogre Shrek (Myers) as the swamp’s sole resident, he instantly takes offense to these hapless squatters. In particular, Shrek is annoyed with his new, self-appointed sidekick: the chattering Donkey (Murphy). To regain his exclusive land, Shrek (with Donkey tagging along) trudges off to Duloc to persuade Farquaad to rescind the squatters’ eviction.
Meanwhile, Farquaad schemes to become an official king by marrying a princess by picking, Dating Game-style, Bachelorette Princess No. 3: Fiona (Diaz). The problem is that Fiona is trapped inside a faraway tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon, as only true love will save her. No problem, Farquaad cynically assumes. However, his tournament of knights to find an expendable rescuer soon ends after Shrek and Donkey trounce them all. Farquaad then improvises by convincing Shrek and Donkey to go on a noble quest to rescue Fiona in exchange for the swamp.
Finding their inner heroes, Shrek and Donkey surpass tremendous odds in rescuing Fiona from the highest tower on the highest secluded mountain. Hiding her own nocturnal secret, Fiona is often at odds with Shrek on their awkward journey home. Quite reluctantly, she is forced to trust Donkey with the truth behind the magical curse afflicting her. Once surrendered to Farquaad, Fiona instantly accepts his marriage proposal and urges that they be married that same day.
In a final quarrel, a dejected Shrek leaves Donkey behind. It’s up to Donkey and an unexpected friend to convince a despondent Shrek that Fiona shares a destiny with the grumpy ogre.
Primary Voice Cast:
Shrek: Mike Myers
Donkey: Eddie Murphy
Princess Fiona: Cameron Diaz
Lord Farquaad: John Lithgow
Gingerbread Man: Conrad Vernon
Magic Mirror and Geppetto: Chris Miller
‘Monsieur’ Robin Hood: Vincent Cassel
Pinocchio and The Three Little Pigs: Cody Cameron.
REVIEW:
Given it was released nearly a quarter-century ago, Shrek still holds up remarkably well. One should consider it a genre trailblazer for future animated movies where fairy tale allegories, pop music covers, and a hip sense of self-parody cleverly mesh. The CGI looked fresh for its time, and, even now, it isn’t a distraction from the film’s romantic comedy plot.
With the voice cast on its game, they sell the storyline’s all-ages humor without resorting to excessive raunchiness. Though one sight gag (depicting Mother Bear of The Three Bears) is dubious, the movie’s anything-goes satire of fairy tales is well-played. Ultimately, the first Shrek is worth adding to a family video library, regardless of format.
NICK’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
