The whole family should enjoy this cute story.

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2001)

3 1/2 out of 5
Children's stories and fairy tales are rarely complicated. A simple moral, teaching kids (and even adults) life's lessons, is best told through unique characters and comical situations. Shrek has a good grasp of this concept making it a truly enjoyable film, one with a message.
Shrek (Mike Myers) is a large, green, ill-mannered and downright gross ogre who spends his time eating slugs, washing up in his stinky swamp and scaring the town folk who misunderstand him. His life is simple and that's the way he likes it. But things change when his humble home becomes a haven for fairy tale creatures banished by Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). In order to regain his life, Shrek, along with unwanted help from Donkey (Eddie Murphy), must rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from the mighty dragon and bring her to Farquaad, a name which needs careful pronunciation in a PG film.
Missing are the wonderful Disney tunes you've come to expect from animated classics, but on the other hand Shrek's writers know their competition and do a fair job of making fun of what's expected. By mixing modern day culture (elevator music, parking lots and WWF wrestling) with classic fairy tale standards a cute and entertaining story is told. The best lines are given to Donkey where Murphy's comic nature allows him to steal the show.
Overall the animation was slightly wooden (no I'm not refering to Pinnochio's cameo) and I had trouble with the voice Myer's gave to Shrek. His higher pitched Scottish inflections reminded me too much of characters he's played in the past. Also be prepared for some off-color humor that will more than likely slip by the kids unnoticed unless it happens to be the bathroom kind. It's a must see for families.