Film Review #110: Shrek

NOTE: Joseph: King of Dreams will be reviewed following my review of Home, because I still have yet to find a copy of it and it was not theatrically released, so it does not get precedence over other theatrically released films.

When people think of Shrek, their opinions are very mixed.  Some think of it as a great comedy that launched DreamWorks into the same breath as Pixar and booted Disney out of the "Good Quality" animation game.  Others, think it's an overrated cliche filled film that offers nothing but fart jokes and an endless supply of acting stars playing animated characters.  To be honest, both are a bit right.  Shrek is a great comedy, released in a time when such great animated comedies were really rare and often left us either slamming our heads against walls or just wishing the film would go away.  On the other hand, I'd be lying if I said the film was devoid of flaws and did not grate on me in some areas.  It's definitely one of DreamWorks best films, but it launched animation into an era we're still trying desperately to escape from...

Plot: Shrek (Mike Myers) is an ogre who lives on his own in a huge swamp, enjoying his solitude and occasionally torments men coming to slay him.  But his life is changed forever when he unwillingly protects a donkey (Eddie Murphy) from being locked up for being a Fairy Tale creature.  Shrek tries to lose Donkey, but his new acquaintance is so eager to be friends that he forgoes most natural fears of ogres to hang out with Shrek.  Shrek allows Donkey to stay in his swamp for the night, but is rudely interrupted by a host of Fairy Tale creatures coming to his swamp, after the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) banishes them from his realm.  Shrek and Donkey quest to the kingdom of Duloc to confront Farquaad, but the Lord (Not a King yet), tasks the ogre with a quest to rescue his bride to be, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from the fiery keep of a dragon, in exchange for Shrek's swamp to be cleared of it's new inhabitants.

Shrek and Donkey rescue the princess in a series of comedic adventures, but Fiona refuses to travel with Shrek, believing she was supposed to be saved by her Prince Charming.  But as the trio makes the long way back to Duloc, the ogre and the princess do start to warm up to each other and even form a romance.  But Fiona hides a terrible secret from Shrek and Donkey, until it is revealed at night.  Fiona was cursed as a baby to turn into an ogre every night when the sun sets, until her true love kisses her.  A misunderstanding causes Shrek to think Fiona thinks he is repulsive, causing the bitter ogre to to bring Lord Farquaad to sweep Fiona off her feet, and forces the trio to part ways coldly.  But when Shrek and Donkey reconcile, Shrek realizes he loves Fiona and the two must hurry to stop the wedding no matter what.

What's Wrong?: The great comedic genius Mel Brooks once said:

"You cannot have fun with anything that you don't love or admire or respect"

Throughout the bulk of the run time of Shrek, I don't think of it as a comedy with great fourth wall appeal, but more of Jeffery Katzenberg unleashing his bile against the Disney Company for their bitter end.

Let's talk about that aspect first.  On Easter Sunday, 1994, Disney COO Frank Wells died in a helicopter accident in Nevada's Ruby Mountains.  Following his death, Jeffery Katzenberg (then president of the studio), was not only lobbying for theaters to buy up The Lion King, but also to assume the position Wells' death vacated.  This caused intense friction between Jeffery, Roy Disney and Michael Eisner, and resulted in Michael telling Jeffery he could not have the job.  Later, Eisner would explain that had Jeffery not pushed for the job himself, he would have gotten it, but Eisner was rubbed the wrong way by his lack of care for the Wells incident.  This resulted in Katzenberg leaving the company after The Lion King premiered and caused him, David Geffen, and Steven Spielberg to create DreamWorks SKG.

Most of the humor in Shrek seems to stem from this unmediated hatred Katzenberg still had for Disney and really comes off as uncomfortable now that I watch it again.  Most of the jokes aren't even subtle, such as the "It's a Small World" parody, the constant references to past Disney works (Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs, the Seven Dwarfs, etc.), and this entire need for one man to control things in his world (most likely a jab at either Eisner or Roy Disney).  When the humor in DreamWorks films relies too much on this kind of unrelenting humor, I can't help but cringe.

Another thing in this film I cannot stand is the use of the "misunderstanding" cliche.  GOD I HATE THIS DAMN CLICHE!  It's such a stupid time wasting story point.  What ever happened to people being in love and not needing some stupid bullshit separating them?  Why does every romance have to have this pigshit?  GOD THAT FREAKING IRRITATES ME!

Lastly, this is a big one, I cannot stand these "Product of the Times" movies.  They do not age well, at all.  In something like Aladdin, where the care and effort is put into the characters and the story as well as the humor Robin Williams unleashed on the film, the world created can be seen occurring not just in the 1990's, but even to this day.  Most of the pop culture references made in Shrek are not that relevant today (Smash Mouth songs, and referencing many movies and crazes pop culture has forgotten since 2001).  While this is not too grating an issue, it will get MUCH WORSE for this company as time goes on...

What's Good?: With that said, let me get into the good aspects of the humor.  While not a ton of the jokes hit bullseyes, the ones that do are extremely memorable.  The film took advantage of the comedic stylings of both Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy without restricting them to the basest of their comedy (like Mulan did for Murphy).  Even John Lithgow gets a few good lines in this film, though he is the butt of more jokes than he is the champion of it.

The animation is also really good.  Not only the comedic moments, but also the softer, more sincere moments in the film.  There's this one scene while they're camping out in the woods and Shrek and Donkey are looking out at the moon, which is enormous and beautifully detailed.  This is what I would call: "Taking advantage of the medium".

While many other animated romances are handled better, I do see the chemistry between Shrek and Fiona.  It doesn't seem forced to me.  They both begin to see that there is more to the characters beyond their physical appearances and initial attitudes.  It's nothing like Belle and the Beast, but it works out okay.

Overall: Shrek may not be the best animated film DreamWorks has done, but it is certainly leaps and bounds better than a fair amount of the competition being released at the time.  It was funny when it needed to be, awkward in other moments, but still was enjoyable throughout the duration of it's run time.  And that's got to count for something...

Final Grade: 87 or B+