Hello all....I'm back! After a long absence from the Ciao community I have come back to bring more ...
Hello all....I'm back! After a long absence from the Ciao community I have come back to bring more reviews and to revive old friendships. See ya round! Leila :) xxx
Member since:18.04.2003
Reviews:106
Members who trust:168
Seeing as how I haven't seen the latest Shrek movie (much to my dismay), I have decided to do a review on the first film.
SHREK
Now in my usual style, I'll do a couple of quotes from the experts!
"Forget everything, this is the best animated film you are going to see." Jackie Brambles, GMTV
"Hilarous, original and absolutely brilliant." SUNDAY TIMES
"The story wasn’t absolutely magical, but it was interesting, quite funny, and different, which is just what the doctor ordered." Jim Chastain, NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
I wouldn't agree that is the best animated film as the second movie is out now and it's even better than the first. At the time however GMTV was certainly correct!
***TECHIE DETAILS***
Hate doing techie details so I'll get them over with now.
Title: Shrek Film makers: DreamWorks Home Entertainment Type of film: CGI/animation/comedy/romance Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. Certificate: U (UNIVERSAL) Trailer: Several Posters: Yes Soundtrack: Yes DVD or VHS: Both Was there a game: Not sure Price: £12.98 from Amazon Where to buy: Amazon, HMV, Virgin, Woolworths, Ebay etc.
***VOICE TALENTS***
Mike Myers: Austin Powers Goldmember, Shrek 2
Eddie Murphy: Dr DoLittle, Trading Places
Cameron Diaz: The Sweetest Thing, Charlie's Angels
John Lithgow: 3rd Rock From the Sun, Homegrown
***CHARACTERS***
Shrek Voiced by actor Mike Myers. The hero of the story! Shrek is a big green ogre who just wants to
be left alone. But alas, that just isn't going to happen. Shrek is feared because he is an ogre and because nobody likes him. The townspeople or someone seems to be out to kill him for being what he is. This is someone who isn't in touch with his feminine side and is not in the least bit graceful or patient with anyone.
Donkey Voiced by actor Eddie Murphy. The annoying little sidekick. My mother has nothing on Donkey's constant nagging. Donkey is not what you'd call ordinary......he talks! Saved by Shrek from soilders he has permanently decided to stay with Shrek, whether Shrek wants him to or not! Donket is also slightly paranoid about his health and safety which just makes him more loveable!
Princess Fiona Voiced by actress Cameron Diaz. The damsel in distress. Fiona is not your average princess either. She does not like being kidnapped, enjoys kung-fu, singing (whilst blowing up a bird in the process) and eating strange foods! Fiona is merely waiting for a handsome knight on a white horse to come to her rescue! But Fiona hides a secret and it is something which weighs on her heart.
Lord Farquaad Voiced by actor John Lithgow. Farquaad is possibly the most annoying. The ruler or supposed to be ruler of the kingdom of Duloc. Lord Farquaad has a little problem. Techincally he can't really be classed as a ruler. Wonder what will fix that little problem! Farquaad will stop at nothing to get the perfect kingdom in his grasp, even if it means hurting others. Overall the baddy! Boo hiss!
***PLOT***
Shrek is an ogre who loves solitude. He lives in a swamp that he calls home and wishes nothing more than to be left alone. It's never the case as Shrek is always bombarded by people who want him dead! That'll put a crimp in your day!
After fending off the latest string of attacks against him, Shrek notices a poster which advertises that all fairytale creatures in the land are wanted. But all those fairytale creatures are being locked away or evicted from their homes by the evil Lord Farquaad. Among them is a talking Donkey named....well....Donkey. After escaping from the clutches of the guards Donkey is inadvertantly saved by Shrek. As payment for this....Donkey decides to follow Shrek around....forever!
Unfortunately for Shrek, he has a little surprise waiting for him when he gets home. All the fairytale creatures that have been evicted have moved into his swamp by Farquaad!
Shrek goes to Farquaad and demands his swamp back but instead makes a deal with Farquaad. Shrek will get his swamp back if he goes on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona, who is trapped in a castle, protected by a dragon. Farquaad wants to marry Fiona and be King of Duloc!
Sounds simple enough so off Shrek goes. After managing to rescue a disgruntled princess, Shrek must deliver her back to the land of Duloc and Farquaad. The rest you'll have to guess for yourself!
Will an attachment form between Shrek and Fiona, does she hide somthing dark about herself? The rest of the story is dedicated to how Shrek gets her back to Duloc. If you want to know more then watch the film!
***QUOTES***
My favourite bit of the review. I laughed so much in this film that I had to share some of the highlights of this film with you.
DONKEY: "Please! You don't know what it's like to be considered a freak......well maybe you do.....but that's why we gotta stick together.....!"
SHREK: "Oh no no no no no, dead broad off the table!" DWARF: "Where are we supposed to put her? the beds taken!"
GINGER BREAD MAN: "Do you know the muffin man?" LORD FARQUAD: "The muffin man?" GINGER BREAD MAN: "THE MUFFIN MAN!!!"
FIONA: "....just take off the helmet." SHREK: "I'm not going to." FIONA: "Take it off!!" SHREK: "NO!" FIONA: "NOW!!!!!!!!!" SHREK: "OK!!! Easy!!!"
***MY PERSONAL OPINION***
I loved this movie from start to finish. CGI technology is advancing all the time and companies like Pixar and Dreamworks are always looking for ways to enhance films. In Shrek technology was developed so that small details like the wind blowing in the grass, fire, water and hair for the characters would seem so much more real and move more naturally. Naturally in Shrek 2 it will have advanced even more and be more visually spectacular. Overall the graphics recieve 10 out of 10 from me and I can't wait to see the next movie.
I was quite surprised to see that Cameron Diaz had volunteered to do a role that just involved voice talents. When watching the film, I can't imagine anyone else doing Princess Fiona, which hopefully is a good thing. Eddie Murphy was the funniest character in the whole thing. Eddie's voice combined with the movement of Donkey on screen was a perfect match. Donkey is a main character as he has enough appeal at humour for people to sit up and take notice. He is the little sidekick to Shrek and what hero is any good without a sidekick? Batman had Robin for heaven sake! Mike Myers has a never ending talent for doing voices. He is incredibly versatile. Although in real life he is not my favourite actor, he is certainly a great voice for this film. As for John Lithgow, the first thing I ever saw him in was 3rd Rock From The Sun. Whenever I looked at the character he voiced for this movie, I'm reminded of John Lithgow. It's something in the face I swear!
Supporting characters are slightly unusual but just add more hilarity to this movie and support for the lead characters.
The story itself was an original tale but with a slightly different twist. It's not a prince who goes to rescue Fiona it's an ogre, you've got an appearance by every fairytale creature ever created and the magic mirror does a slighlt warped version of Cilla Black's blind date! Even Fiona is slightly surprised.
All the 'soppy' elements of this film like true love just get laughed at....but in a good way that can make you laugh too.
This is also a story that has a moral to it as well. A clear message in this film is being able to except who you are and being able to go out into the world and not let what people think of you dictacte your life.
Overall, this a fantastic family film which will have children and adults laughing together. It's a film which I've pretty much worn out after watching it so much. I hope you guys love this film as much as I do!
Happy trails kids!
Leila :)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Family - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Marisa Tomei, Lacey Chabert, Lynn Redgrave, Flea, Tim Curry, Rupert Everett
This was a great review. I loved this film Shrek it made me laugh alot.
laydee_masiah 21.03.2005 19:05
Now I understand what you mean by advising I need a little more detail in my reviews *blush* Informational yet interesting...I think I shall choose you as my mentor/guidance. I'm sure you've gathered that I'm new to this whole review malarkey...thank you for your comment! x
katie169 29.01.2005 21:58
I can see you put alot of effort into this, you deserve a good mark for this one!
Full of verve and witShrekis a computer-animated adaptation of William Steig's ... more
delightfully fractured fairy tale. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farqu...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Full of verve and witShrekis a computer-animated adaptation of William Steig's ... more
delightfully fractured fairy tale. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farqu...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) is searching for a wife. Because of a complicated situation ... more
he needs a mate so he can qualify as king of the land. The 3-foot-tall despot has already banished all the fairy tale characters from his land resulting in a dias...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
They're back for more! Princess Fiona's parents invite their daughter and her new husband ... more
Shrek to her homeland of Far Far Away in order to celebrate their marriage. However there's more than meets the eye in this fairytale kingdom and Shrek & Fi...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: A sequel that gives more of the same with a twist more adult fun - Puss is inspired! Disadvantages: Original songs weren't used and characters revoiced for the British version
![Shrek [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78533830.jpg "Shrek [DVD] [2001]")
Aug 6th, 2004
exceptional by (13%):
very helpful by (85%):
helpful by (2%):
