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

Our nine year old daughter had an extensive Christmas list this December. As one would expect, Santa didn't have room in his pack for all of the requests. Our daughter, industrious girl that she is has carried that list over to her March birthday. But there was one item she truly wanted to find under the tree, one present that would make her Christmas merry and bright.

Peace on Earth.

So, I'm kidding. She's nine.

Shrek was her number one pick, her absolute desire. Our family, in constant motion and continually busy gets little quality time together. We are here, there and everywhere, and her desire was to have a movie night with the family.

So Santa and his Elves obliged, and Shrek was delivered under the tree. Our little nine year old daughter couldn't have picked a better movie to bring the family together. We pulled up pillows, nestled into chairs, and had an evening of delight.

Shrek is a movie for everyone. A lonely ogre that lives in a muddy, slimy, gooey swamp, Shrek touches the gross sensibilities of young boys. Shrek bathes in mud, gobbles worms, waddles through slime. The teen boys let out groans of delighted disgust as Shrek groomed himself in his perfectly disgusting manner.

Shrek (Mike Meyers) is an ogre who loves his swamp, loves living alone until he meets Donkey (Eddie Murphy). Donkey likes Shrek, even when Shrek turns his scariest, Donkey isn't swayed. Donkey isn't scared of Shrek's looks, or Shrek's growl, Donkey likes Shrek because he is Shrek.

Donkey stays with Shrek even when Shrek is enraged to find his beloved swamp over run with characters from children's books and literature. Seems the nasty Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) had the characters relocated, and Shrek wants his swamp back.

Lord Farquaad makes a deal, Shrek's swamp in return for the rescue of Princess Fiona, a lovely lass with secrets of her own.

As Donkey and Shrek work together to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), the unlikely duo develops an abiding friendship and stick together in the face of seeming danger. Even fire breathing dragons can't come between these two pals.

As our family sat together, we each enjoyed our own piece of the movie. My husband and I enjoyed the snarky humor, our daughter swooned at the unseemly love between Shrek and Princess Fiona, and our teen boys giggled at the antics of Donkey and the gross out humor of Shrek.

Our "techie" son loved the intricate and stunning computer animation, something we all marveled in, even those of us not so educated in computer graphics and design.

Santa certainly knew what he was doing when he left this little jewel under our tree. Shrek is a tale with lessons, love and humor.

It is a moment of family time, a little tale for all of your fairies. It is simple and sweet and will go on giving.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12