Shrek was very overrated.

Rating: 2/10 (28 December 2001)

How could so many of the nation's critics be hoodwinked by "Shrek" and not see it for what it really was - a dumbed down, tiresome and thematically inconsistent bore. First of all, this film panders to the lowest common denominator with the usage of a "hip" pop soundtrack and stereotyped characters. I'm referring specifically to Eddie Murphy's step-and-fetch-it donkey role, the viewing of which should have caused riots at the NAACP, but didn't. It is the most hideously and offensively stereotyped character in recent memory. Furthermore, this film was dull and lifeless. It relied so much on reference after reference to Disney films that I came to wonder when the references would cease and when the actual movie was going to begin. And because film critics routinely turn off their brains during animated films, they didn't notice the glaring thematic contradiction in "Shrek." The overall message of the film is that appearance doesn't matter, and yet the filmmakers have no qualms with making fun of the small stature of the Prince character. I was really disappointed with "Shrek" - so much so that I actually fell asleep while watching it.