Deconstruction

Rating: 8/10 (29 September 2001)

** POSSIBLE SPOILERS **
I didn't expect anything when I saw it. I just unfolded it like a book. And, like a book, the movie starts, as a fairytale, with tales of princesses and princes. The score to go with it is glorious and epic. Then, the coup: the score transforms into "All Star", and the main character gets out of the bathroom where he was reading the book. The spirit of the movie is like this everytime: a complete deconstruction of the fairytale genre, with a fantastic finesse and sense of humor. Of course, the fact that the entire movie was generated in mainframes is one more hat to take off. But, although we could have a showcase of computer achievements, they didn't do it that way: they kept the technical details at one side, and focused on the bits and touches that make this movie a joyride. Its structure is the simplest possible: the universe of action is very limited, but this doesn't mean that the story is limited too - we really don't need no more than we have. And the film charms us in the most subtle ways. I could start complaining that the USA do commercial movies and that the american cinema is just a big business, but there is a reason why we see all those sitcoms, and watch all those movies: there are too good jokes to be left unnoticed. "Shrek" is no exception, the movie is full of touches that fit right on all the spots. This gives place to a very funny movie, with distinct characters that will make you laugh in their own ways. And as a family movie, "shrek" couldn't be better: kids will follow its simple plot and have a lesson by the end of the movie. Adults will marvel at the in-jokes and at the fantastic things computers can do these days.