Rating- * * * * * (5/5)
In order for a movie to be great, it should be something totally new and different, unless of course you are making a parody. Shrek is at heart a parody, and one of the best parodies in recent history mind you, but is also a unique fairy tale that brings us a message that no other fairy tale movie has but probably should have all along. In order to truly appreciate the brilliance of this film, you have to know a little of the back-story. Shrek is the latest in a new trend of computer-animated films that were born out of George Lucas’ Pixar Studios (Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2). However, Shrek is the first fully computer-animated film to come from a studio other than Pixar, in this case, DreamWorks. Now Pixar is owned by the great and powerful Walt Disney Company, inventors and sole proprietors of the animated film franchise in America. A few years ago, one of the main executives at Disney, Jeffrey Katzenberg, got into an ugly fight with Michael Eisner, president of Disney. Katzenberg left and became one of the founding members of DreamWorks Pictures. He remained silent about the whole affair until DreamWorks got a few big hits under its belt; then the gloves came off. From its very first scene, Shrek is a stinging satire of the traditional Disney fairy tale film. The film’ hero, after reading the storybook prologue rips out the page and…well, he does what Jeff Katzenberg would like to do with his contract with Disney. That sets the tone for the whole film. In addition to numerous references to Disney films, there is a particularly hilarious reference to the physical manifestation of Disney, Disney World. As Shrek and Donkey approach the castle in the distance, Shrek comments that the owner “must be compensating for something.” As they enter, they find the perfect town with everything in its place, but that is secretly ruled by a tiny, vindictive king. The irony is just overflowing. I could sit here all day and tell you all about the hundreds of references and jabs throughout the movie, but I’ll just let you watch for yourself and enjoy them. Perhaps the biggest jab at Disney in Shrek is the overall message of the film. In total contrast to the Disney philosophy of fairy tales, it is ultimately the ugly characters that find true love, not the handsome prince or the beautiful princess. Shrek was deservedly named the first winner of the Best Animated Film award at the Oscars and is without a doubt one of the best movies of the year.