SHREK

2001

Although based on William Steig's childrens' book, "Shrek" is not your typical summertime childrens' animated film. This sophisticated spoof is a cleverly written and very funny movie for all people who love the irreverent humor of "The Simpsons" and "South Park,"...as well as "the World of Disney." Jeffrey Katzenberg, its creator, broke away from the Disney team, and now takes this opportunity to give a not-so-gentle poke in the ribs to the prettiness and commercialism of Disneyworld, as well as to Disney animated films, where animals will break into song at every opportunity! Even the story of a princess in a tower, who must be rescued from the dragon that guards it, by the handsome prince, is turned inside out and given a modern-day twist that teaches the lesson that "beauty is only skin deep." The computer-animation is incredible. It's so 3D and life-like, that the characters actually resemble the actors whose voices are used, especially Prince Farquaad (John Lithgow) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz.) Shrek (Mike Meyers) is a beautiful character, but the film is shamelessly stolen by an over-the-top Eddie Murphy as the Donkey. Too bad Donkeys can't get Oscars! If this had a score by Elton John (I KNOW...that's what the film is parodying!!!) I would have given it 5-Stars. Don't worry about taking the children. It's only inappropriate for a child who was raised on a mountaintop by an order of cloistered monks. Now THERE'S an idea for an animated film.

4 Stars

NJB

An ugly ogre and his jackass sidekick embark on a journey to save a princess and find that love doesn't care how ugly you are. How fitting I should see this in LA, where silicone "enhancements" are given free with eight fill-ups at your local Mobil station. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow breath little life into this warped fairy tale that tries to poke fun at all of those cute fairy tales we were told as children. Thank heavens for Eddie Murphy who provides most of the laughs as Shrek's spunky sidekick, Donkey. The overly simplistic and cliche story line might make you think that this is a children's movie, but most of the humor, in fact, will probably be over most young children's head. My four year old cousin loved it, though, so that should say something for it, right?

2.5 Stars

CDF