Once upon a time, when Dreamworks actually cared about the film itself...

Rating: 8/10 (29 November 2010)

A grumpy Ogre and a talking donkey must venture to save a Princess and bring her back to a despicable Lord in order for the Ogre to reclaim his confiscated swamp...
The original Shrek is better than most adults think, it has some very clever jokes that are aimed more at the people taking the kids to the cinema in the first place, it is also a reminder that Eddie Murphy was actually a funny guy a while back. Shrek cleverly toes the line between pleasing the kids and rewarding Mum and Dad for their patience.
I'm on the fence about labeling it "great" though... There are a few moments that will have you reaching for the FF 30 seconds button, and a few jokes that will "swooooosh" right over your kid's head while you chuckle a little.
This reputation is sullied by the rancid taste of sequels two and (especially) three, both blatant cash grabs that were more interested in pop culture references and shoehorning in rips from famous films and nudge-nudge nods to adults that were far more effective and classy in the original. I loathe everything about the Third film, which in desperation introduces the old reliable staple of babies, when all else fails...
And now later this year we'll have a 4th. My Spidey-sense is already tingling...
What you hope kids will learn: It's what's inside that counts.
What they'll take away: Farts and burps are funny. (Well they are.)
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