This is one of the greatest child-adult films ever. Some might debate and list numerous older films or Disney films (including Pixar), but I don't think any of them have the same elements as this one. It has a good story, fun to watch, fun to laugh to for people of any age (usually a movie is directed to one group or the other). It is a movie I really enjoy as an adult, and my kids like it too.
The first thing is this movie has a story. Now it's a predictable story at the beginning...yet what happens later is not expected. But that's ok, it's a fairy tale (fantasy). Or rather a play on fairy tales. What is the underlying story about? A love story. Between two very unlikely people. People that you would think live in opposite worlds, yet still find an attraction to each other. It is certainly a forbidden love which adds some funny awkward moments in the film.
It is also an adventure story of a brave...um...knight(?) going on a quest to save a princess. Well actually just an ogre trying to get his swamp back, but it's a pretty good adventure complete with dragons and other acts of bravery. This is the part of the story that makes it fun to watch. For me a good movie has to have action and this one has it. Had it been a real love story....well I wouldn't be reviewing then. (See isn't denial fun?)
The pacing is nearly perfect. You have a lot of starts and stops but they each have a purpose. No awkward scenes on a balcony in Coruscant, no long walks with nothing important to talk about, no boring scenes of our hero walking up a mountain. Everything had a purpose and everything was there to entertain. Entertainment came first in this movie.
The character building was enough and the characters (Shrek and Fiona anyways) grew and changed as the movie went on. We got to know them better every step of the way. This character building shaped how the audience viewed the film and viewed these relationships. This is one of the beautiful things about this movie is the development of the 3 lead characters. It is done beautifully and the character that starts the movie certainly is not the same character that ends the movie. And I'm not just talking about physical. The authors deliberately toyed with the audience's emotions. The audience felt one way about Shrek in the beginning and another at the end. This forced emotional change is what separates this from the other films.
Donkey did change some but that wasn't his role. His role was the glue the held it all together and made it fun. In a way it was us, the audience, that was seeing through Donkey's eyes.
The writing in this movie is key. Besides the animation (at the time), the writing is the best part. And it is the writing that keeps the movie current, unlike some of these other comedies that only make sense the year they are released. This movie makes fun of references that are timeless and I think will be understood for decades to come.
Some of the humor is crude potty humor, but at an elementary level. I could only imagine a Puritan getting offended with the jokes in it.
The computer animation isn't as dated as I would have expected by now. Now I can see where some more detail would have been added if the movie was made today, but for the most part it hasn't lost a whole lot in this department. In my opinion, I think it will age gracefully.
The voice acting is top notch. The two "heroes" are played by Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. What makes their performances special is they are not just talking but rather playing a role through their voice. I hate it when I hear a voice and instantly feel a disconnect between the animated character and the voice of the actor I know. In Horton I couldn't stop seeing Jim Carrey, he doesn't seem to make it a new character. But in the Shrek trilogy (soon to be quadrology) this is not the case. I don't seen Eddie Murphy when I listen to donkey, I SEE and HEAR donkey. I love it. It makes the whole movie believable to me, as if I'm in this fantasy world.
The only complaint I can make is it doesn't go deep into the human psyche, and that is really a stretch. The characters are more of a set of stereotypes; type cast characters we are familiar with. And the writers do explore their outward and inward desires well enough for this film. And if I had to write it over again would I change this and add more depth? I'm not really sure, but probably not. Ya I'd like to see it but then again almost anything you do could damage this movie that I think is one of the best.
The key players Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson Writer: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger Schulman Music: Harry Gregson-Williams
My recommendation. I think this is still the best out of the three, and the most pure. I recommend this to both kids and adults of any age. And don't put this on your queue, put it on your shopping list.
Relive every moment of Shrek s (Mike Myers) daring quest to rescue feisty Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) with the help of his lovable loudmouthed Donke...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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