To get things out of the way, I haven’t been as consistent as I have been with these reviews. You may have noticed that last week I didn’t review anything. That was mostly on me probably talking about the one of the best non-Disney animated films of the 90s two years ago. In all honesty, I didn’t thoroughly plan July with the films I wanted to talk about. With the excuses out of the way and trust me. This initiative isn’t going anywhere. Let’s at least wrap up my summer look with the animated film I think altered an industry.
1. Unlikely Hero
I think it comes to a shock and surprise to some people that Shrek isn’t entirely an original animated movie. For the few who actively follow children’s literature, it’s based on the book of the same name by the late author William Steig. I’ve investigated the book and the movie sort of follows the book. I’ll elaborate the one element that is pretty much one of the film’s defining aspect. As I dug deeper, this film was considered punishment at DreamWorks.
Apparently, whenever a select slew of animators were failing on their projects within the studio, such as not animating a specific shot. They were moved to the production of this movie. It was called being “Shreked”. In one way, I think this film from a developmental standpoint has that edge of cast-offs putting their best into it. Especially having the computer-generated images be so different that what came before with Pixar.
One more thing was that this film was supposed to have SNL alum Chris Farley. On YouTube, one moment was recorded when Donkey and Shrek were talking at night just after rescuing Princess Fiona. Hearing his voice and seeing the conceptualized scene is one of those moments where anyone can wonder just what if. He passed away during the movie’s production and they hired Mike Myers. Another SNL alum and who was a box office draw at the time with his Austin Powers films.
So after all that necessary, depending on who you ask, info done, let’s talk about the film. We follow the anti-social ogre named Shrek. After noticing his swamp is infested with characters from various fantasy stories, he goes to Lord Farquaad and makes a deal to rescue a princess to have his swamp back. There’s a level of comedy and brashness that makes Shrek so loveable. He’s just himself when he makes light of any danger that comes to him.
Him and Donkey are the main highlight of the film. I can only imagine where they producers nailed the casting of Eddie Murphy. Just him and Mike Myers have that chemistry where Shrek is annoyed but manages to put up with Donkey’s idiosyncrasies. Donkey isn’t grating in the least bit which makes him enjoyable. The constant back and forth between the two feels right since we believe that their sudden friendship feels authentic.
I love that depth that Shrek has as a character. For as much as he’s embittered, he wants to be accepted. He has that mentality that he is easily unlikable to everyone which justifies his actions. That moment when Donkey and Shrek are talking at night is I think my favorite scene. We get an understanding of where Shrek is coming from and just how Donkey assures him that he didn’t have any preconceived notion of him. It helps break that idea down the main character has to be handsome or good looking, but just about being accepted.
Since we’re talking about the overarching theme, the movie is mostly about acceptance. At the start, we see that everyone is afraid of Shrek except Donkey. Especially more so when Farquaad is presented with the princesses and the Magic Mirror tries to warn him about Fiona’s secret. It destroys and moves away from that perfect idealized view of the perfect princess, the hero and really brings it home where Farquaad is a small turd. The scene when Shrek and Fiona are having fun with each other as they venture back highlights that.
I think at the time it was progressive where it tries to be the exact opposite of the standard Disney animated fantasy movie. The inclusivity of it is astonishing since it shows that anyone can be the hero. More so that as I mentioned before that the princess can be different than what we usually think of them. It’s even shown during the film and when Donkey sees Fiona’s other form and hilariously gets confused.
2. Anti-Disney
I might as well bring up that whole anti-Disney aspect that the film has going for itself. Either it was mandated from Jeffrey Katzenberg, who worked for Disney from the late 80s to the 90s. Or it was just something cheeky that DreamWorks thought they should put in as a proverbial middle finger to them. It’s abundantly clear that the movie is riffing on them. Right down to the fantasy characters that are being used. For the most part, they kept it classy by not giving the fantasy characters an ugly look to them.
More so that the film can be interpreted as an animated parody, poking fun at the usual story beats of the Disney movie. Like how in the beginning of the film, Shrek is reading the story about Fiona and just laughs it off. Ripping off a page and wiping his butt as he busts out of the outhouse. Compounding it how the initial rescue scene doesn’t go to plan and is just as hilarious as it was presented.
I think my favorite part of the middle finger moments is when both of our heroes arrive at Farquaad’s castle and experience the emptiness. Just them hearing the stock amusement music and just how the entire area is dead pokes fun at Disney’s various parks. Especially when the musical number featuring the robotic figures feels unreal and hilarious.
3. Legacy
Shrek was an absolute smash hit and made a profound impact in pop culture. It was a wise move that my parents took me and my brother to go watch it. Perhaps having no clue as to what everyone was going to get with the movie, it was worth it though. No one could’ve imagine that this film would start a franchise that grossed billions in total. I’ve only ever watched the first three films, the second is obviously the best one of the series. And it’s still going with the recent release of the Puss in Boots film from last year that was a surprise hit.
I really hope that the estate of William Steig received some sort of compensation as the film’s success generated interest in the character. For a film that was mostly advertised for kids, I’m surprised there was some moments for the adults. Watching it now with a more, I think, level-headed mind I noticed some cheeky stuff. Whether it was for the adults to spot it as something of a wink-wink as the kids were just lost in the animation might be intentional.
It's surprising to me that the film had for a little while a meme-moment on the internet. You had people constantly quote or write “Shrek is love, Shrek is life”. Now it wasn’t for deriding the movie in the least bit or even ironically but just celebrating it as something where acceptance and tolerance is needed. I think with Smash Mouth’s All-Star and their cover of “I’m a Believer” punctuated the memes. And the film won the inaugural Best Animated Film award at the time during that year’s Oscars, thought I should mention that.
4. Overall
Shrek is one of the most beloved animated movies of my generation that is still relevant today.
