An Oustanding Film for All Ages

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2008)

This film reminds me of the classic Bugs Bunny films that were made in the 50's and 60's: they were hilarious for both kids and adults. It must be difficult to make such a film to satisfy both demographics, but "Shrek" succeeds in leaps and bounds.
This film, unlike the one that followed, has fairly clean humor that both kids and adults will appreciate. The sequel made a reference to the Pinnochio character wearing women's underwear. I cannot see how that is funny, maybe it was inserted for the West Hollywood audience. The older, better comedians like Jackie Gleason used to say if you have to resort to blue humor, then you aren't funny. I think the writers resorted to these desperate tactics on the sequel because it just wasn't nearly as funny as the original (but yet it made more money, go figure).
I think Eddie Murphy's performance made the difference of the film. His lines and his delivery were classic ("You have to warn me before you crack one off like that. I had my mouth open too"). Mike Myers was excellent too. John Lithgow's Prince Farquaad was outstanding as the diminutive, egomaniacal prince.
The film was supported by the straightforward plot and the excellent musical selections, the latter which included some fairly obscure tunes that fit in so well with the storyline. The love story is sweet and simple, easy for kids to understand that physical appearances are less important than character, yet still touching for adults.
Sometimes, the most subtle jokes are the funniest: as Prince Farquaad approaches the torture room, his tiny status is made apparent; when Folonius breaks the small mirror to threaten the magic mirror; the parody of Disneyland; and when Fiona pushed the wedding cake figurine of Farquaad down to its appropriate height. I also loved the "Dating Game" parody, a joke which was probably lost on people born after 1980.
This is a classic enduring film and is definitely on my top 50 films of all time.