Animated fairytale presents
mature humor to audience
By
Jenny Jones
Summer Reporter
DreamWorks' computer animated film, "Shrek",
is a fairytale, but that is not to say it is appropriate for audiences
of all ages.
Included in the film's hilarious script is the
minute usage of vulgar phrases, crude manipulations of language and
obscene references to parts of the body and their functions.
At one point during the film the princess is
referred to as not being "easy," and at another point the gingerbread
man says, "eat me" and spits in the face of Lord Farquaad.
For those mature enough for the film's offbeat
humor, "Shrek" definitely delivers all the enthusiasm of a comedy,
while exposing the technological advancements being achieved in animation.
The film opens in the swamp where Shrek, voiced
by Mike Myers, is happily going about his morning routine, taking
a bath in the mud pits and eating fistfuls of squirming maggots.
While Shrek's unusual appearance and disgusting
habits keep the people of the land out of the swamp, he is glad to
be left alone.
It is not until Lord Farquaad, voiced by John
Lithgow, decides to offer a reward to anyone who can turn in fairytale
creatures that Shrek's life begins to shake.
Collecting dwarfs, three bears, a few blind mice,
a wooden boy and many other fairytale creatures, Farquaad condemns
all the characters to the swamp and out of his kingdom.
Upon his escape from the clutches of Lord Farquaad,
Donkey, voiced by Eddie Murphy, runs into Shrek in the woods and decides
to make friends with the ogre. Donkey follows Shrek back to the swamp,
despite Shrek's disapproval.
During the night Shrek’s swamp is bombarded
by hundreds of other fairytale creatures. Not happy about his guests’
arrival, Shrek plans to visit Lord Farquaad in hope to regain his
home.
Accompanied by Donkey, Shrek treks to Farquaad's
castle to have it out with the short man.
Upon his entrance into the castle Shrek is ambushed
by Farquaad's men, but after proving they are no match for him, Shrek
convinces Farquaad to allow him to regain his swampland.
In order for Shrek to get his home back, Farquaad
sends Shrek and Donkey on a journey to rescue his soon to be bride
from the claws of a fire breathing dragon.
After capturing the princess, voiced by Cameron
Diaz, Shrek learns to take his own advice on judging people before
he gets to know them, and he finds himself falling in love with the
beautiful woman.
"Shrek" is a film that, by offering mature humor
and action, proves that not all fairytales are for children.
3 1/2 stars
By DreamWorks
