YOU'RE GOING THE RIGHT WAY TO A SMACKED BOTTOM! (Shrek (DVD))

Member Name: indigojade

Product:	Shrek (DVD)
Date:	06/01/02 (563 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellant animation, some adult/crude humour too subtle for kids to pick up on

Disadvantages: none found despite numerous viewings

Shrek a film that took almost three years to make and cost around £69 million not to mention the work of over 275 artists, computer animators and software developers and engineers - had I known this prior to its coming out on video, I perhaps would have ventured to the cinema to see it! As it happens I had only really taken any notice of this great green beast, when my three-year-old, James said he wanted Santa to bring him SHREK!


The Story

Shrek is a green Ogre who lives alone in his swamp, hardly surprising when you get an insight into his personal hygiene routine. He is occasionally bothered by 'Ogre hunters' but soon puts paid to their efforts - casually reminding them to run away! Unfortunately for Shrek, Lord Farquaad decides to banish all fairytale creatures to the swamp. Shrek unhappy at the invasion of his home and estate takes it upon himself to confront Lord Farquaad. So with the garrulous Donkey beside him he sets off for Duloc.

On meeting the unctuous, indolent short arse Farquaad his first challenge is for his and Donkey's lives. Once dealing with the valiant knights, he is then challenged to rescue Princess Fiona on Farquaad's behalf, so he can marry her, thus becoming a fully-fledged King.

Our ugly and cantankerous green hero sets off on his mission, with his unlikely sidekick. His appearance is welcomed by Princess Fiona, that is until he removes his helmet!

Needless to say the return to Duloc is fraught with tension, as Fiona is repulsed by the look of her 'knight in shining armour' but that is softened by his appealing nature. In turn Shrek becomes less cantankerous and more tolerant, even of Donkey when he interrupts an obvious 'tender' moment between Shrek and Fiona.

The animation in the film is like nothing I have ever seen before. The facial expressions are so life like, it is hard to remember sometimes that you are watching ani
mation. The little touches on the characters are incredible, right down to the spittle flying from Shrek's mouth as he scares away the ogre hunters. Visually there is nothing I can fault with Shrek at all.

The basis of the story is one we are all familiar with, from age-old fairy tales: hero overcomes hardship and a wicked 'person' to get his girl and live happily ever after. In Shrek we see the basics, but there are plenty of 'twiddly bits' to keep the interest and amusement there.

As for the film being for children, well this is one film I would have happily sat in the cinema for. The crude humour is quite subtle, although James did pick up on the 'fart in the mudbath' quite quickly. He now announces to all and sundry that he can 'trump like Shrek does and make bubbles!' Cute maybe, but not in the middle of Safeway on a busy Saturday afternoon! The jokes and one liners are well paced and will keep you laughing all the way to the end.

The soundtrack to the film is quite foot tapping in parts, I have found myself singing along to some of the songs, much to James' delight!
Shrek Soundtrack contents:
1. Stay Home
2. I'm A Believer - SMASH MOUTH
3. Like Wow! - LESLIE CARTER
4. It Is You(I Have Loved) - DANA GLOVER
5. Best Years of Our Lives - BAJA MEN
6. Bad Reputation - HALFCOCKED
7. My Beloved Monster - EELS
8. You Belong To Me - JASON WADE
9. All Star - SMASH MOUTH
10. Hallelujah - RUFUS WAINRIGHT
11. I'm On My Way - THE PROCLAIMERS
12. I'm A Believer(reprise) - EDDIE MURPHY
13. True Loves First Kiss - SCORE




Despite having had Shrek on every day since its arrival in my house on Christmas day, I have not yet tired of watching it. It is a film I would recommend to any family, I would recommend that with children under five you sit and watch it with them for the first few viewings, as there are
some scenes they might find frightening for the first time. All in all an excellent film, with which I can find no fault at all and we eagerly await the coming of Shrek II.


The video can be bought at most video outlets both on and offline prices may vary from £9.99 to £14.99

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