A Big Thumbs Down

Rating: 1/10 (27 June 2001)

What a waste of time and money! I never laughed once during this dismal attempt at making a fairy-tale with a "meaningful" message. Mike Myers obviously wanted to share his gross-out, Austin Powers-style comedy with the younger generation,
adding some adult innuendo to keep the parents titillated.
The film's animation, while technically superior, is cold and unappealing.
Unfortunately, the voice actors provide little entertainment, especially Eddie Murphy in his "stock" loudmouth idiot role. A enormous cast of animated creatures, and a fantasy landscape do not compensate for the lack of soul in this anti-Disney tirade from a disgruntled ex-employee.
I spent the first half-hour waiting for the funny part, and the rest of the film waiting to leave the theater. If I had it to do over, I would have walked out sooner.
In a movie that supposedly (although in a satirical way) has a message of tolerance, there are too many familiar stereotypes and cruel jokes spread around.
I'm not surprised that Shrek has enjoyed a wide audience. It is the same drivel that passes for comedy in many films these days, notably, There's Something About
Mary, American Pie, Dumb and Dumber, the Ace Ventura movies, and anything from Mike Myers. Juvenile bathroom humor is the lowest form of comedy, and is meant to appeal to the whiny adolescent in all of us. What a shame studios are producing films that demand the viewer be brain-dead.
Rating: One star out of 10.