Computer overload

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2001)

At best, "Shrek" is a good, but not great, fairy tale. It's noteworthy for its charming anti-Disney satire, Eddie Murphy's hilarious donkey, some delightful surprises and many uproarious bits. An 8 out of 10, but with a major reservation:
"Shrek's" super-realistic computer animation gets annoying and tiring. What's the point of imitating real-life, when conventional movies -- with some special effects -- can do it more effectively? This story and these characters would have been better served with hand-drawn, clay or plastic animation (as in "The Iron Giant" or "Chicken Run," or see the brilliant 1950s and 1960s stuff by John and Faith Hubley). Excessively realistic computer animation takes away from the fantasy.
Back to the drawing board!