A Review of the Original Shrek Movie

The original Shrek film was released to theaters on May 18, 2001 according to imdb.com. While DreamWorks surely knew they had a special movie in Shrek, it is doubtful that they realized the Shrek universe would stretch into May of 2010 and into a fourth movie, Shrek Forever After. Shrek Forever After is sure to strike the same box office gold the first three movies did and become yet another family favorite.

The Shrek franchise got off to a great start with the original Shrek movie which featured the voices of Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as the ever funny Donkey. The casting of Mike Myers as Shrek was a brilliant moment after the film lost its original choice, Chris Farley, to an early death. Eddie Murphy brought his own unique comic timing and style to Donkey in a way that was every bit as magical as his Mushu the dragon in Mulan. Fortunately for fans, Donkey gets a lot of screen time! Cameron Diaz is an effortless princess and has the naturally fun spirit to be simultaneously beautiful and ogre-like at the same time! With such a great cast, the plot of Shrek seems like it would be a winner no matter the actual story, but the story delivered heavily.

The movie's title character, Shrek, lives in a swamp where he is perfectly free to live a disgusting ogre "centric" life. Unfortunately, shortly after the film opens, progress interrupts his non-blissful existence as numerous fairy tale characters begin showing up at his home and all throughout his swamp. It doesn't take long for Shrek to find out all of these people are being forced into the swamp by the diminutive Lord Farquaad.

Not a man to easily give up his privacy, Shrek and a certain Donkey that has attached itself to him travel to meet Lord Farquaad in the hopes of striking a deal. In order to get his swamp back, Shrek agrees to help Lord Farquaad secure his throne by journeying to a dragon protected castle and bringing him back the Princess Fiona.

After Shrek accomplishes the goal of rescuing the princess, the audience soon finds out that the princess is a beautiful woman by day and a perfect match for Shrek, an ogre, by night. Fiona hides the fact that she is an ogre from Shrek despite the fact that they are developing feelings for each other. A classic misunderstanding occurs and Fiona is about to marry Farquaad when Shrek rescues her at the altar.

When Fiona and Shrek kiss, she is permanently converted to an ogre, a state she is supremely happy in. Donkey also gets a little loving and ends the movie with a swinging karaoke session!

The original Shrek is a great movie and a must watch before venturing out to take in Shrek Forever After.