Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Shrek is an animated movie, but it is not just for children. It involves humor that is both sophisticated and basic to please all ages in the audience. Mike Myers is the voice of Shrek, a lonely ogre who keeps to himself in a swamp. Shrek tries to avoid all contact with any other creatures because he thinks they will hate him because of the way he looks-- big, green and ugly. The ruler of the fairy tale land in which he lives dumps all of the unwanted fairy tale creatures in Shrek's swamp, and in order to get his peace back, Shrek must embark on an adventure to capture a princess from a tall tower guarded by a dragon. He is befriended by a goofy donkey (Eddie Murphy) who accompanies him on the journey.

I have heard some people complain that the movie had too much innuendo and that it isn't appropriate for children. However, I disagree with this criticism. There is nothing even remotely graphic in the movie. Any of the jokes with sexual undertones will go right over kids' heads. These jokes should be a welcome relief to parents, since the movie is much deeper than most animated films.

The filmmakers are intentionally going against the Disney formula in this movie. They even take a dig at Disney world, with a cute parody of the "It's a Small World" ride. Also, this movie is a lot less predictable than Disney films, and the leading lady (Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona) is much less of a pushover. Also, the animation is better than Disney. The scenes where Shrek is walking through fields of flowers and vegetables are especially impressive.

Everything is incredibly realistic and detailed, especially things like hair and grass. It is visually breath-taking. The characters have realistic, expressionistic faces. One of the most entertaining parts of the movie is when all of the displaced fairy tale creatures show up in Shrek's backyard. I would see the movie again just to see who else I notice in the background of the incredibly detailed, crowded group scene. (I wanted to write "shot" because the movie is so realistic, I sometimes forgot that it was animation and not film.)

Also, all of the characters are lovable, even the "villains" such as the Lord (John Lithgow) who is supposed to be marrying Princess Fiona. This is a welcome contrast to Disney movies where the villains are always completely evil and the heroes are always completely good.

This is a great movie that different viewers will enjoy on different levels. But everyone will leave the theater smiling. I don't want to give it away, but I LOVED the ending.

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8