Disappointing use of technology

Rating: 4/10 (10 January 2005)

I saw this film for the first time over Xmas on TV. Not having got around to seeing it before, and having heard such a wide range of friends and colleagues with nothing but praise, I was looking forward to a treat. What a letdown! I kept wondering when the real story was going to get going. Ironically, the film opens with a spoof of a 'traditional' fairy story, knocking this down as if to suggest that this is certainly not what this movie's about, but then it turns out to be exactly that!
Technologically the film is an amazing achievement, the detail and 'realism' of some of the animated characters being breathtaking at times. The choice of voices is also excellent, adding real depth to the characters, with John Lithgow being especially good as the villain of the piece. And there are comical moments, although sadly most are of the rather basic Tom&Jerry slapstick type involving the donkey. But for me these attributes are the ONLY way in which the movie is suitable for adult appreciation. The story is just your typical bedtime reading for a 5 year old. The big scene with the princess at the end is a huge anti-climax. Trying not to give too much away (not as if there IS to much to give away!), any movie that ends with 5 minutes of partying seems to me desperate to give the audience a sense of elation and completion, almost nothing in the plot having done so.
I'll probably end up watching Shrek 2 in a couple of year's time, but mainly in hope that the plot can't possibly get worse, and it will be interesting to see what further advancements in animation have been achieved.
2 stars out of 5 for animation and vocal characterisation.