Directed by: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron
Diaz, and John Lithgow
Lord
Farquaad (John Lithgow) hates fairytale characters. He hates them so much that he banishes them
to the swamplands. Unfortunately, Shrek
(Mike Myers), a not-so-jolly green ogre, has a nice comfortable living
arrangement in the swamp and doesn’t like his new roommates who include
Pinocchio (Cody Cameron), the Three Little Pigs (Cameron), and Donkey (Eddie
Murphy). Shrek and Donkey decide to
confront Lord Farquaad about this so that Shrek can reclaim the swamp. When they do, it becomes a game of quid pro
quo. Farquaad needs to marry a princess
so that he can become king of the land.
He chooses to marry Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who must be rescued
from a tower. Shrek wins a tournament at
Farquaad’s palace and earns the right to rescue Fiona. However, he will only do so if Farquaad will
allow the fairytale characters to leave his swamp.
Shrek heralded the birth of a new era in
animated film, one in which films were made for both kids and their
parents. While the kids laugh at the
obvious stuff, the parents appreciate the subtle jokes more suited to people
old enough to have a few sips of the good stuff at the bar. With the likes of
Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers, Shrek is
one hilarious film that won’t let you down. This satire of all things fairytale
gets a sober rating.
