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SHREK
review by Joseph B. Mauceri
REVIEW: SHREK opens with a classic bit that is reminiscent of the opening sequence from "Fractured Fairytales." Mike Myers, doing the Scottish accent he created for the father in "So I Married an Ax Murder," is reading a fairytale. He comes to the "happily ever" part and rips the page out of the book to wipe his rear, and then comes bursting out of the Outhouse. The comedy and gags build as the film rolls along, offering one-liners, comedic setups and gags that will get hearty belly laughs from young and old alike. Some of the funniest bits include: Robin Hood and his Merry Men doing a Riverdance number, and then getting beat up by the Princess in a "Matrix" homage; and the Shrek doing a WWF match with the Lord's nights. There's been a lot of talk lately about new photorealistic technology, which we will see later this summer in Sony's "Final Fantasy." SHREK is a fairytale, and the filmmakers focus on that to create impressively imaginative character designs. As I was watching the film it dawned on me that there was an aspect to the style of the animation that reminded me of the claymation style of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Hey, the character designs also lend themselves quite well to toy designs. I know, because I walked through the McFarlane Toys showroom. I could talk about all the cast members and the wonderful job they do, but Eddie Murphy steals the show. Murphy brings his unique brand of comedy to this character and transforms it into a reincarnated Bugs Bunny for the new millennium. SHREK is chock full of the stuff true summer films are made of. Although it might have a positive message, there is enough coarse humor (ear goo and fart humor) to please the adolescent in all of us. On top of all that, the music is great, and the closing musical number is a real hoot! Hey, don't feel you need to drag a kid along just so you can see SHREK. OFFICIAL
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SYNOPSIS:
Based on the children's book by William Steig, SHREK is the story
of an Ogre who values his the solitude of his home in the swamp.
One day, his home is suddenly filled with displaced fairytale characters,
and a talking donkey has followed him home. They have been banished
there by sinister Lord Farquaad. Shrek goes to see him and cuts
a deal to get his home back. He and the donkey must rescue Princess
Fiona, who is being held captive by a fire-breathing dragon.