Shrek - Special Edition [2001]

Customer reviews:

"They judge me before they know me", 2008-10-01
As a book is opened, and Shrek tells the story of a prince and a princess and utters the words "Like that's ever going to happen" does the film engage the audience and set the tome for a thoroughly enjoyable family adventure with good comedy, interesting protagonists and an entertaining narrative.

When we first see Shrek's appearance we instantly gasp, but are instantly laughing and amazed as the credits role and observe an Ogre in his natural habitat, bathing in mud and eating gross things. This opening is very inviting and invites us into an unknown world and the life of a different character that is far from your average looking everyday hero. Shrek, a big and nasty looking man, is a symbol, an icon if you will, of defying odds and true hope. A sweet and tear jerking moment comes when he says "They judge me before they even know me" a real landmark for animation and appearances, and how they can be deceiving. Shrek, obviously different from other heroes, has this unique quality that makes him so likeable. Despite his gross habits, we can identify with him on a personal level, being alone and at a distance from others, and this ideology of defying odds and appearances is one main reason to watch this film.

Plenty of animations lie on physical comedy to entertain, but Shrek uses intertextuality to gain most laughs. Watch out for parodies of Disney classics, the matrix and others that will make you chuckle. Eddie Murphy's Donkey is by far the funniest character, being so hyper and enthusiastic that it's almost unbelievable.

When we first see Princess Fiona, we are laughing by the sheer ideology of her and her long awaited rescue.

Though after a while the plot becomes slightly predictable and over dramatic. However there are twists and turns in stock to keep away from the conventional narrative which is always a good thing.

There are a few dry spells and the humour isn't always funny but nevertheless Shrek is one heart warming animation with a different hero whom we can all identify with.

8/10

Review, 2008-03-04
Shrek (2001) Review
Rating: *****
This is the first movie of the brilliant movie which is Shrek.
The characters in the movie start apart, however they start a friendship together as the movie develops. There is Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy). Shrek is a fantasist movie for the family to view.
Shrek is a green ogre who lives on his own is a swamp. Fiona is a beautiful princess who is locked away in a castle watched by a big fire-breathing dragon, who stays there day and night, but Fiona has a secret. Donkey is a talking, singing and very funny donkey, who is going to be sold as a magical animal, but he runs away and finds Shrek.
Shrek has the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz.
Mike Myers is the voice of Shrek and he has been in such films as Austin Powers. Eddie Murphy does the voice of Donkey and been is films such Daddy Day Care. Cameron Diaz does the voice of Fiona and she has been in such films as Charlie's Angels.
Shrek and Donkey go on a quest to save Fiona from wedding Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) as if he marries her, he will be king.
There are also a lot of fairy tale characters in this movie form the three little pigs and the big bad wolf.
This absolutely brilliant movie which lasts for 89 minutes will have you laughing from start to finish.
This hilarious film is another of DreamWorks animations, so you are in for a treat.