Hysterical with a message

Rating: Null/10 (11 March 2002)

Much like Shallow Hal and Bridget Jones' Diary, Shrek deals with learning to love people just the way they are. Unlike the previous two flicks, Shrek is a beautifully animated fairy tale with an edge. The voice overs are priceless (especially Eddie Murphy as the loudmouthed Donkey and John Lithgow as the egotistical Lord Farquaad), and sharp, witty dialogue (I could've done without the "toilet humor", though) and hilarious pop culture spoofs abound. I almost split a gut when Shrek started crooning Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are", and the fairy tale/Disney characters (especially the Gingerbread Man) are all clever and inspired. Well done, Dreamworks!