Shrek 1-2 (2001,2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126029/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298148/
Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon
Script: Will Steig, T. Elliott, T. Rossio, Joe Stillman, R. Schulman, D. Weiss, J.D. Stem.
Runtime: 90 / 93min
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
Genre: Animation / Adventure / Comedy / Romance
Tagline: Fairy tales will never be the same again.

Shrek is a quality, non-traditional fairytale which brought us lots of fun and entertaining adventures. In the first movie, we meet with Shrek, a green ogre living in isolation in his swamp, which becomes populated by banished fairy tale creatures. In order to get his swamp back he goes to Lord Farquaad, who sets him on a quest: rescue Princess Fiona from the dragon-guarded castle and bring her to be his wife. The sequel is about meeting the in-laws, who have no idea that they are meeting ogres, moreover Fiona and Shrek’s marriage ruins a few plans of the king with Fairy Godmother, who set out to clear Shrek out of the way. All these adventures happen in the omnipresence of the annoyingly adorable Donkey.

It’s very inventive, with interesting characters and funny lines. It’s a nonconformist fairy tale, where princes are not charming, princesses are not perfect and fairies are villains. However, many fairy tale clichés appear in the movie, these are mostly all reinvented. The graphics are beautiful with detailed, colourful, and picturesque animations. I can say that Dreamworks is a worthy rival for Pixar. The soundtrack is made up of dynamic, popular songs. Action, adventure, romance and fun are balanced. The sequel is surprisingly good. (but not the third, which lost much of its charm and good lines; seemed totally forced) While working on Shrek, Shrek 2 was already being made. The sequel provides with new and interesting characters like Puss In Boots, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother. Shrek and Fiona’s love is pictured heartwarmingly. In a way these Shreks present more modern, “realistic” fairy tales. The unconventional approach manages to be entertaining without being too silly. Of course, there are flaws (some of the characters, some musical and fight scenes), but all in all it’s fun with its particular humour, quality animations and its original characters. The setting is great with a varied set of places, the faces are expressive and the voices are matching. Cameron Diaz’s voice is very pleasant, Myers as Shrek is agreeable with his accent. And I haven’t even mentioned Donkey yet. Well, he’s my favourite. Eddie Murphy’s voice and comedic skills are perfect. His personality together with the graphics makes Donkey hilarious and adorable, even when he is supposed to be annoying a.k.a. all the time. It’s also interesting to think the characters haven’t even met; they read their lines separately.

This is a light-hearted animation with lots of adventures and good laughs. Some of its jokes are unforgettable (like “are we there yet?”). And the characters are successful for good reasons. Who would have ever thought of a green ogre?