A Hilarious Movie, Though It Has Some Mixed Signals

Rating: 7/10 (31 August 2001)

"Shrek" is a laugh-out-loud, incredibly funny movie that manages to savagely shred the saccharine-sweet Disney film formula throughout most of its scenes. Inexplicably, though, it suddenly embraces that same sweet Disney formula as it draws to a close . . . becoming, in many ways, exactly like the films it professes to mock. "Shrek" tries to straddle the line between savvy adult-based humor and sweet family-friendly humor, usually succeeding, but failing miserably in certain spots. Apparently, the strategy of aiming the film towards both kids and adults worked -- if judging from box-office revenue is any indication, `Shrek' was wildly successful -- but the quality of the film is dropped a notch or two by the occasionally awkward blending of adult satire and child sensibilities. "Shrek" is still a very, very good -- and very, very funny -- film, but it could've either been a classic adult satire or a classic kid's movie, if only the producers of "Shrek" had fully committed to pushing the film in one direction or the other, instead of just compromising to appeal to the masses.
"Shrek" is the story of a lone ogre (aptly named, well, "Shrek" -- and voiced by Mike Myers) whose major goal in life is to live in solitude in his beloved swamp. This goal is somewhat thwarted by the ruler of the kingdom, Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow), a diminutive, evil tyrant who is forcing all the fairy tale characters in his kingdom to relocate to Shrek's swamp. Shrek, unhappy with this relocation program, makes an offer to Farquaad -- he'll find Lord Farquaad a princess, which will allow Farquaad to get married and become a King. All that Shrek wants in return is his swamp to be made like it was before --empty. Lord Farquaad accepts Shrek's offer -- so, along with his loquacious sidekick Donkey (voice by Eddie Murphy), Shrek begins a quest to find a true damsel in distress -- the lovely Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz).
With the possible exception of the "South Park" movie, never has a film managed to so gleefully and successfully tear apart the Disney tradition of animated musicals as well as "Shrek". Scenes are set up in the traditional Disney manner, then shredded with such razor-sharp wit and flair; it's amazingly funny. The humor ranges from over-the-top (Princess Fiona's singing causes a bluebird to explode) to the wickedly subtle (the Magic Mirror's description of Snow White: "She may live with seven men, but don't be fooled . . . she's not easy.") "Shrek" veers wildly between loving reverence and sneering disdain for the traditions of Disney animated films -- the reverent scenes will most likely appeal more to kids, while adults will definitely appreciate those of disdain -- but regardless of the tone, the structure and the direction of "Shrek" is usually incredibly funny. It doesn't hurt that the cast of voices adds immeasurably to the film, either: Mike Myers plays the ogre Shrek with an oddly peculiar but funny amount of patience and practicality (I also suspect he only agreed to the part so he'd have another venue for his outrageous Scottish accent); John Lithgow is perfect as the pompous, overbearing Lord Farquaad; and Cameron Diaz manages to bring just the right amount of outrage and sweetness to Princess Fiona -- I found her to be the best character in the film. Personally, I found Eddie Murphy (as Donkey) to be the most annoying character in the film -- true, he is very funny, and has some of the best lines, but he's a little too much to take at times. The first third of the movie, he was brilliantly funny; the second third of the film, only mildly funny; and by the last third of the film, just irritating. I don't fault Eddie Murphy at all for this, but I do fault directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson for not toning the character down.
The main fault with `Shrek', though, lies in the fact that it tries to appeal to two distinct audiences. It's not that such a feat can't be done (Disney's "Aladdin", actually, does this flawlessly), but that "Shrek" juggles between the two audiences so poorly. For example, one of the "big messages" being delivered to children by this film is that appearances don't matter, that people shouldn't be judged by how they look . . . and then a significant amount of time is spent ridiculing Lord Farquaad's small stature. What gives? When the two aspects of a film like this -- the child aspect and the adult aspect -- can exist simultaneously and separately, the results can be wonderful. "Aladdin" is a prime example of this, as are nearly all of the Chuck Jones-directed "Bugs Bunny" cartoons of the early 1950s. When the aspects start contradicting each other, though, it's confusing, and not very funny. As it affects "Shrek", the contradictions aren't enough to significantly drag the film down, but they are quite noticeable, and they do cause the film to stumble. (And another thing . . . okay, a minor rant . . . please, enough with "The Matrix" parodies. They're officially now like all those stupid "I'm so scared" Blair Witch parodies .. . not even remotely funny. Stop beating the dead horse.)

Regardless of the mixed messages, there's no denying that "Shrek" is a very clever, funny movie that will no doubt be entertaining for both children and adults. There will be a few moments, though, when kids will be utterly puzzled by what's occurring in the film . . . and other moments that will have adults gagging from the nauseating sweetness. Still, "Shrek" is very, very good, and in the end, maybe that's all that really matters. It's certainly better than most standard Disney fare, and is still the best animated film of 2001 . . . not too shabby, huh? Grade: B+