laughs for 10 years, guaranteed

Rating: 9/10 (23 June 2001)

Following a recent trend, Shrek is a spoof on the exact category it's labeled under. I wasn't too excited on seeing it, however, when I got to the theater 10 minutes late for Tomb Raider, I gave it a shot, and am glad I did.
It's one of those movies you can watch when your 10, laugh at all the toilet/bad hygiene jokes, then watch 5-10 years later, and laugh at all the political/dirty jokes. It tries in vain to break all the rules set for the past 3000 years in fairy tales, and stories in general. In this, the report card is straight A's. From the habitat of the hero to the exit of the bad guy, this is as different as you can get. However, the writers weren't stupid, this wasn't the main goal. It's an added bonus to the fresh storyline of a "children's" cartoon.
The computer effects used to make the ENTIRE film are excellent, you can count the grass blades blowing in the wind. Mike Myers plays a fat man extraordinarily well, taking a cue from his popular "Fat Bastard" and making Shrek a hero as well. Eddie Murphy kept his personality, but doesn't repeat Mushu from Mulan (something I was worried he would do). Cameron Diaz is a blonde princess... that's about it. But it's what's required from her role. And Jon Lithgow is hilarious and oblivious to the many cracks made against him.
The only minus points came from the predictable ending and Diaz (sorry, but I'm just not a fan). However, if you compare Shrek's success to Disney's newest effort- Atlantis, I can guarantee you'll forget these minor faults.