Wickedly funny!

Rating: 8/10 (21 May 2010)

Few films are as wickedly clever as "Shrek," and even less are universally considered family films. Watching a movie this good makes us wonder why Hollywood puts out such crappy family movies that no one likes (for example, last fall's "Old Dogs," which while unseen by me, was attacked by critics with viciousness unseen by anything other than a Uwe Boll movie). Whatever the reason, "Shrek" is a hysterical send-up of fairy tales (and just about everything else you could think of). And it's oddly touching.
Shrek (Mike Meyers) is a grumpy ogre who lives alone, and that's the way he likes it. Unfortunately, one day a bunch of fairytale creatures move in...and they won't leave. After a series of hilarious plot conventions and send-ups involving a petite wanna-be king named Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), Shrek has to go and rescue a princess (Cameron Diaz) from a castle (in which, of course, a fire-breathing dragon has taken up residence) if he wants his swamp back.
"Shrek" gave birth to the never ending series of movies where the sources of comedy where potshots at pop culture, famous movies, and what not (one could argue that "Scary Movie," which came out a year before, opened the door, but this film was more successful). As tired as the spoof genre became, there's a reason why it became so successful: this movie is flat-out funny! While "Shrek" is infamous for its jabs at Disney movies, they're not the only things in the film's cross-hairs. Everything from reality TV to theme parks is skewered mercilessly, and nothing escapes the film's grasp. What's especially funny is that it's entirely suitable for all members of the family (though some of the very young may not get a few of the jokes).
The voice talents are perfectly chosen. Mike Meyers is perfect as the title character, mixing grumpiness with vulnerability, and with more than a shadow of self-doubt. Even though Meyers makes the role his own after taking it over from Chris Farley after Farley's death, Meyers still keeps a little bit of Farley's trademark energy. Eddie Murphy is hilarious as Donkey, who's mouth rarely stops moving. He may not be the brightest bulb in the bunch, but he sure is funny. Cameron Diaz is no stranger to comedy, and that suits her well here as the princes that is not what anyone thinks. She's a feisty "loaded pistol" who's read a few too many fairy tales. John Lithgow may be the least famous member of the cast, but he's still hilarious as the arrogant (and tiny) Faarquad.
Directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson keep the tone light and fun, but with an air of mischief. They also take the time to create superlative visual effects. The animation is gorgeous and varied, realistic, but still cartoony. However, sometimes the lip movements noticeably don't match up to the words (like sometimes they start slightly before the words come out).
Hilarious, but with a heart, "Shrek" is a movie for the whole family to enjoy again and again.