WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY SWAMP?!
Shrek
In 2001 DreamWorks Animation released what would become one of the most beloved computer-animated films since the beginning of computer-animation, and that movie is called Shrek. It was directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson — neither of which have much more major credit to their names as far as directing goes. Andrew Adamson directed Shrek 2 (2004), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008). Vicky Jenson also directed Shark Tale (2004) but has mainly worked in the artist department for episodes of many classic TV shows — He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1984–85), Animaniacs (1993–94) and The Ren & Stimpy Show (1994) to name a few. However, the masses’ love for Shrek does not come from the directors. Rather it comes from the clever writing that was brought to life in this movie through the directors.
The film Shrek is based on a picture book titled Shrek!, published in 1990 by William Steig. According to IMDB, the movie itself was written by Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman and Roger S.H. Schulman (Cody Cameron, Chris Miller and Conrad Vernon are also credited as writers for their additional dialogue). In the original story, Shrek is a vile green ogre who leaves home and stumbles upon a witch. The witch tells Shrek his fortune: that he will find a donkey that will take him to a knight. He would then conquer the knight and marry a princess who is uglier than he is. The rest of the book plays out to fulfill this fortune. However, in the film adaptation, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) has no interest of leaving home, Donkey is the one who stumbles upon him, Shrek only leaves home to get rid of intruders and he accidently falls in love with a cursed princess.
This film makes Shrek out to be more of an antagonist in the beginning. He has no care in the world about anyone or anything else; he wants to be alone in his swamp. The writers countered this negativity with Donkey; a donkey voiced by Eddie Murphy who is not only funny himself, but enables Shrek to be funny through his critical attitude toward Donkey. However, Shrek is forced to leave his beloved swamp with Donkey by his side. Shrek seeks out Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), who sent the intruders, to try and talk him into ordering them away. Farquaad agreed to do so, but only if Shrek brought rescued Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) for him. Up until Shrek meets Fiona, he is a grumpy douchebag. It isn’t until after he begins to fall in love with her that he changes his character.
The plotline begins with Shrek and Donkey; a dynamic in which a small defenseless guy relies on a big guy for protection — the big guy ends up needing the small guy despite him not wanting him around. It then goes on to Shrek and Fiona; a dynamic in which a big ugly, grumpy ogre ends up having a change of heart and wins over a princess who supersedes his every expectation. These two dynamics split the movie into two main sections, giving the movie more character. This separation also helps keep things hidden throughout the movie’s main storyline rendering it worthy of more than one viewing.
For me, Shrek has become one of my favorite movies. Through the media, the jokes made about it and the sheer entertainment the movie itself has to offer. Though there are 4 sequels (with Shrek 5 announced to be released in 2019), none of them compare to the rawness of the original Shrek. It is complex but concise, relaxed but overwhelmingly entertaining. I give Shrek 8/10 green ogres.
