<Introduction>
There are so many high quality animated movies that good old Oscar has even introduced a new category to account for this. With illustrious competition such as Monsters Inc, Shrek managed to overcome the quality movies and win the Oscar. So was it worth the Oscar?
<The plot>
Once upon a time, in a land full of dragons, princesses, pixies, ogres, wizards and other magical creatures including talking donkeys, walking gingerbread men, etc…..
Hang on, this isn’t your normal fairy tale, this is SHREK!
Shrek is a computer-animated adventure about a huge and ugly ogre called Shrek (Voice by the shagadilic Mike Myers of Austin Powers fame – for older members more famous from Wayne’s World!). Shrek loves his lonely little hut but becomes very perturbed when his peace and quiet is disturbed by hundreds of magical creatures. These poor creatures have been evicted from the lands of Lord Farquaad (Voice by John Lithgow – more recently famous for Third Rock from the Sun) and are beginning to move into Shrek’s swamp. Shrek decides to sort out the mess himself and sets out to talk with Lord Farquaad. A talking donkey (played by Eddie Murphy in a similar style to Mushoo) accompanies him. The donkey is an annoying addition to the company as he constantly talks and often burst out into song. The donkey is the typical comedy element that is normally prevalent in animated adventures.
After wrestling some knights in similar fashion to the WWF, Shrek somehow becomes the land’s champion. As champion he accepts a mission to rescue Princess Fiona (played
by Cameron Diaz). Once Lord Farquaad marries the princess, he will be king and he will let Shrek have his peace and quiet back.
Shrek and the donkey soon begin their quest, crossing over rickety bridges and tackling a huge and dangerous fire breathing dragon as they attempt to save the princess. The story tells how they form a strange friendship firstly with each other and then camaraderie with the saved princess.
The plot twists and turns a little; the princess isn’t your typical lovely princess; she has an attitude problem and also possesses some great karate expertise (hmmm could that be a matrix style combat sequence I see?); she also has a secret that she is keeping from everyone. The movie is fairly obvious and moves to an inevitable conclusion.
<The Animation >Using advanced computer generated animation, Steven Spielberg has produced an excellent cartoon, with superlative graphics and a clear quality. The animation combines beautiful scenery with excellent ‘camera angles’ to produce a very atmospheric movie. There are plenty of visual jokes e.g. when the dragon tries to kiss the donkey, it somehow manages to kiss the ogres butt instead.
Much of the animation is very realistic; the sunsets and the lava flowing beneath the princess’s castle are particularly awe inspiring and realistic.
Additionally, the animation has made many of the characters of the movie funny; there is a gingerbread man who has his legs chopped off by the malicious Lord Farquaad, the animation has captured the attitude and fear of a gingerbread man excellently ??!!
What impresses me most about the animation is that you now are able to relate more to the characters than ever before as they have realistic movements and characteristics that make them more human (hmm or Ogre!). Although at times the movement of the ogre is a little poor, generally the movement, the facial expressions and particularly the way the clothes sway in the wind, or move when the characters are running add that touch of realism that has never been seen before the age of computers.
<The Voices >
Mike Myers adopts a soft Scottish accent and disguises his voice well. At first I thought Robbie Coltraine had recorded Shrek as the voice is very similar. Mike plays the character well adding much humour and emotion into his voice.
John Lithgow hasn’t really changed his voice for the movie; he sounds exactly like his character in Third Rock from the sun. He has added perhaps a little menace to the voice and generally performs well.
Eddy Murphy plays his typical Disney type character with a wisecracking mouth and an energy that is clearly audible. His voice adds a little excitement to the movie.
Cameron Diaz plays an excellent Princess Fiona; she is more like a tomboy with an attitude, or even one of the Spice Girls!!!
<Overall>
With the combination of love story and comedy the movie is very good. It will please most children and even have the adults chuckling occasionally. Spielberg hasn’t really brought anything new to the animation genre, but generally it is a pleasing movie to watch.
With a combination of a love story and a comedy adventure the movie is very good and will appeal to adults and children. There really isn’t much new in the animation apart from a few good camera angles and some excellent atmospheric scenery, but this doesn’t detract from an otherwise excellent movie.
The success of this movie is assured and there is already a Shrek II being planned.
NOTE Those who have seen the movie will get a pleasant surprise when buying the DVD – it has an additional scene at the end of the movie! This is a very funny karaoke scene!
<DVD Extras>
I have to admit that I don’t always watch the DVD extras – some of the items included on the DVDs (there are two) are fun to watch and interesting, while other items bore me to tears. When buying a DVD I don’t generally read what extras are included.
FILMMAKERS COMMENTARY
I have never really liked a ‘Filmmakers commentary’. Why would I want to watch a movie while listening to someone being open about what problems they had with some of the scenes, or how much fun they had on other scenes.
There are a few interesting facts included, but generally I don’t feel that this adds that much to the DVD.
THE TECH OF SHREK
This is perhaps the best part of the ‘Extras’. It is an interesting incite into how the use of technology combined with the artistry of animation combined to produce the movie. It takes an in depth look at how the realism of the characters are created and how camera angles really enhance the ability to produce a quality production.
ANIMATION INTERVIEWS: MEET THE PRESS
A fun comedy element in which the ‘stars’ of the movie are interviewed. This really is a take-off on other movies in which you have a cast interview. Each ‘star’ talks about their own character and also talks about the other ‘stars’. This is a very good addition to the DVD.
GAMES
Shrek Trivia – a series of 12 question aimed at testing your observation skills.
Character Morph – a bit like ‘Mr Potatohead’ on a TV. Use parts of the characters to ‘morph’ your own character. Fun for a while, but gets boring.
Decorate The Gingerbread Man – one of my favorite characters gets a ‘clothes’ make-over as you decide what he wears. Limited fun only.
Shrek’s Revoice Studio – requires PC with DVD player. With a choice of 12 scenes to pick from, you can record your own voice and ‘play’ one of the main characters. Perhaps only appeals to children. Shrek with a pseudo American-Welsh accent doesn’t quite work!
<Conclusion>
I would have bought this DVD just for the movie alone. It is one of the better animated movies to have graced the big screen for many years. It shows the quality that we should expect from modern day animations and will become a benchmark for future movies.
The DVD extras do add a little value, particularly the technical incites.
![Shrek [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78533830.jpg)
13.08.2002 21:13
And a SHREKtacular opinion. Thanks. Steve
31.03.2002 19:57
Excellent review...still not seen this, but sounds like I really ought to give it a go.
28.03.2002 16:21
But... there are no spelling mistakes!! ;)