Shrek

I've been looking forward to this film for some time. Ever since seeing the trailer for this one awhile back, I knew the shots that the trailer was taking at Disney was more than enough for me to take a look at. Now that I've seen it, I have come to the conclusion that "Shrek" pokes fun at Disney and gives a heartfelt message out at the same time.

"Shrek" manages to create a new fairy tale, while at the same time bringing classic fairy tales along the way. In "Shrek", Mike Meyers voices "Shrek"; an ogre who's home is suddenly and unwillingly taken over by a bunch of cute and annoying fairy-tale characters (any and every Disney character and fairy tale character you can think of is present down from Pinochio to the three fairies from sleeping beauty, to the wolf from red riding hood.). In a attempt to get his home back, Shrek is duped into a deal with Farquaad (Lighthow) and sets out to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying him on his mission is a wisecracking Donkey (Eddie Murphy), who will do anything for Shrek ... except shut the hell up.

"Shrek" manages to tell a classic story of romance, loneliness, and friendship...but does so in a not so typical way. Here, the hero is ugly and ill tempered, the beautiful princess is not all she's cracked up to be, and the evil villain has some serious shortcomings. Throw into that the incredible cgi details of this film. There are many times that I actually forgot the film was done in computer imaging. Also, there is some camera work that will make some live action directors very envious.

"Shrek" is successful on so many other levels as well. The chemistry that is apparent between Shrek and Donkey is downright breathtaking, especially considering that voice talents don’t tape their recordings together. It’s like Murphy and Myers were destined to do this film together. I guess my old saying that Murphy's career is only good when he is doing voices and working with other great comedic talent is true...this time he does both and scores BIG TIME. "Shrek" also manages to "lampoon" a myriad of things such as Disney, professional wrestling, and even pop culture flicks like the "Matrix". Nothing is safe, and even though this is the case and has happened many times before, this movie does so with a style all its own.

The thing about Shrek that is a little uncomfortable is the fact that this movie is rated PG. There are some things in this movie that just should not be heard by the ears of youngsters. Hell, I don't even think this movie is for kids. It’s for the older audience who grew up on the classic Disney movies (read: the good ones). There are sexual connotations laced in this film, but since most kids have no clue what they mean...it goes over their head. Still, a tad dangerous for my taste. But, Vigi here doesn't have kids and could care less whose little ones are tainted by words in this film.

From opening credit to end credits, there was not a moment that I wasn't busting a gut laughing my head off. This movie is in the same degree of "Who Frame Roger Rabbit?" A film that kids will enjoy, but adults will cherish.

So stop reading this review, and go see this movie now.

Rating: out of four.

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