Bridges the generation gap effortlessly

Rating: 9/10 (9 July 2001)

There are many films indeed that promise to provide amusement for all the family - they usually end up totally boring the parents and failing to interest the children. As an (im)mature 30 year-old, I found Shrek to be both riotously funny and a great story too. Judging by the reaction of the children in the audience, they loved it too.
How was this achieved? Well, the gags are a mixture of cartoon slapstick, film references and the fine interplay with Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers (and, later, Cameron Diaz). Disney takes a (deserved) hammering throughout - but I wouldn't want to spoil any of the jokes by revealing them here. John Lithgow is also great as the prince who wants to create the perfect kingdom. The mixture of material means there is plenty to amuse everyone and, unlike the recent Disney output, the plot is very strong too - entertainment with a message, what more could anyone want?!
The one minor blemish is Myers' Scottish accent as the eponymous ogre - offputting for a British audience perhaps, more than in America. Overall though, a triumph.