Shrek (2001)
Voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow; d. Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson; A-

I had little faith in Shrek. When I saw the preview, I brushed it off as another stupid kiddie's flick with poor computer animation and yet another annoying and talkative sidekick character voiced by Eddie Murphy. Of course, I was in the minority. It seemed that everyone I knew was captivated by the trailer and excited for Shrek's release. Then, when the film was released, it received wonderful responses from both critics and audiences alike. Yet I still wasn't convinced. Finally, when I caught the very end of the film, and noticed that I laughed quite a few times in the few short minutes I watched it, I was convinced that I should see this movie. Now I regret ever doubting the film's quality, because it certainly is one of the most enjoying and humorous films of 2001.

Mike Myers rehashes his Fat Bastard accent to do the voice of Shrek, a fat, green ogre who prefers to live alone in a tree stump by a swamp. Solitude is easy for him. If someone wants to invade his quaters, all he has to do is scare them off. He is, of course, a scary ogre. Ah but times, they are a changin', and this becomes evident to Shrek when a talkative donkey (Eddie Murphy) crosses his path and follows him home, in spite of his constant protests. Shrek eventually finds out why the donkey is so persistant to stay with him when his once peaceful and empty swamp is suddenly swarmed by assorted fairy tale characters, who have all been outcast from their original homes by an arrogant (and short) ruler by the name of Lord Farquaad (voice of John Lithgow). Fustrated that his privacy has been invaded, Shrek decides to take a trek (pun intended) to Farquaad's kingdom to demand that all the fairy tale characters be removed from his swamp. Meanwhile, Farquaad grills a gingerbread man for the whereabouts of the outcast fairy tale characters, and plots to marry Princess Fiona (voice of Cameron Diaz) so he can become a king. However, in order to marry Fiona, he's got to find some way to save her from imprisonment in a tower guarded by a fearce dragon. When Shrek arrives at Farquaad's kingdom, Farquaad sees the man, or ogre, fit for the job of saving Fiona. Farquaad agrees to remove the fairy tale characters from Shrek's swamp, only if Shrek will rescue Fiona from imprisonment. Shrek comes through with the assignment, but the results are not what Farquaad, Shrek, or even Fiona expected!

Shrek is great entertainment for the family. As for what the kids will find funny, I don't know. I don't have kids nor do I surround myself with kids. However, there is much that teenagers and adults will get a kick out of. Teens and adults who grew up on or remember those old Disney fables will definatley find Shrek's abundant and often cruel Disney-bashing jokes humorous, and there are many jokes that, while they go over kids' heads, will definatley pull a chuckle out of the older audience. My only complaint about the film is that it uses mild language for some jokes to get a laugh out of the older audience. Otherwise, it's an entertaiing and well done film with great vocal performances from everyone, even though Myers, again, uses the same Scottish accent he used for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Murphy seems to be playing the same character he did in Mulan. As for the theme of the film, sure, if you want to look too deeply into this film you may come out accusing it of being hypocritical, however I severely doubt kids will even understand the film's messege, much less know what a "theme" is, unless someone tells them. I highly reccomend this film to everyone. Kids, adults, teenagers, whoever. A charming and hillarious film, Shrek is surprisingly one of the best of 2001.

© Vert A Go Go Reviews 2001