When Shrek was released, it was the biggest sensation in terms of profits grossed, and broke a lot of records at the box office, worldwide. It’s not like it was the first animation film, and while the quality of animation was awesome, there have been other films with equally good animation.
So the question to be asked is, why Shrek? Whats so special about this film? A cartoon that too, its meant to be for KIDS, right? Wrong.. Here are some reason why Shrek is one of the best animation film made ever.
1) Appeals to an adult sense of humour
While kids are obviously attracted to Shrek due to the animation (take your kids to see cartoons, you cant go wrong concept), most of the humour, jokes and one liners in Shrek are appealing more to adults. The movie goes ridiculous lengths in parts, spoofing everything from World Wrestling Entertainment, (WWE), The Matrix, and Robin Hood. Its hilarious. It also has this weird demented humour (though that is more rare) - like the bird that blows up trying to match the princess’ voice, you cant help laughing, watch it and you’ll know what I mean. It sorta reminds you of asterix comics when obelix hits a roman and only the teeth and slippers are left in place.
2) Awesome, I mean, AWESOME sound track.
There is a song called ’’You belong to me’’ that deserves its own review! I think its sung by Wade?? The voice is so unusual that it immediately strikes you. There’s also a fantastic rendition of ’’hallelujah’’.
3) Not a classic fairy tale ending.
This one’s a bit ambiguous because there are different endings for Shrek depending on the version on CD, but the majority of versions have an ending that is quite atypical of the typical fairy tale. For that matter, the start is quite atypical too, Shrek using the ’’once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess’’ page as toilet paper was too potty for words! You’ll get your face flushed laughing!
Its all a bit loony. *pun alerts!!
4) Great animation - woah watch his face when the princess makes him and donkey some eggs and breakfast! Awesome expression! And his expression when they pull the arrow out of his butt. Its not animation, Its.. its.. beyond animation. Its more alive than alive. Its more real than reality. Its far better than your mind can perceive. Thats how good the expressions in this movie are.
5) A fantastic sidekick - Eddie Murphy’s voice as the donkey is too funny for words. The talking donkey is very cute - when the princess says ’’it talks!!’’ , Shrek’s reply is.. ’’It’s getting him to shut up thats the problem!! ’’ By the way, a dragon falling in love with a donkey is only a weird crazy mad sense of humour could have thought up. Picture the donkey telling the dragon ’’well.. u know, I mean.. im not ready for this kind of commitment.. u know what I mean.. ?’’ By the way the title of my review is one of his lines in the movie.
Watch this movie if you havent, and keep an eye on the expressions.