Has it really been 24 years since the advent of the “greatest fairy tale never told“? Shrek kickstarted a lot of things — a niche of subverted fairy tales, DreamWorks’ place in the 21st-century animation game, and a uniquely off-beat iconic franchise — and the world would never be the same. The astounding success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the anticipation for Shrek 5 proves the love is more alive than ever. Decades have passed, but the wacky story of an ogre who falls in love with a princess has become its own tale as old as time.
All Things Considered, Shrek Is Still Pretty Great
Shrek Presents An Enjoyable World & Meaningful Story
The original Shrek may be a staple of pop culture we take for granted, but the first ever Best Animated Feature winner earned that title, and not just because it was an off year for Pixar. Leading trio Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are perfect voice actors because of how much comical personality they put into their characters. The flagship also got the one-off but deliciously evil performances from John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad) and Vincent Castle (Monseiur Hood). Yet Shrek‘s cast only brings a punchy temperament to what is, at its core, a deeply heartwarming story.
None of these characters are prettied or romanticized in the way that Disney princesses and their love interests are.
In Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, we see variations of loneliness that come from being different and isolated. They all, to some degree, deal with the disappointment of feeling like they don’t live up to standards of physical beauty. This is even more poignant because of how they are designed: none of these characters are prettied or romanticized in the way Disney princesses and their love interests are. They are flawed, crude, and strangely resonant, making their euphoric happy ending all the more effective.
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Of course, Shrek has its fun with how it twists and represents different fairy tale characters, who are all just a little bit gritty. However, it all reveals the imperfections of such tales, which the franchise built upon in the sequel. Yet as a standalone, Shrek‘s world is very dynamic. It’s where anything is possible and there is a singular blend of Disney-ness, cynicism, and the empowerment of singing along to a good rock song.
Time Hasn’t Worked In Shrek’s Favor… In Some Cases
Some Of These Jokes & Concepts Just Get Old
Watching Shrek over and over again may not have the best effect — there are only so many sh*t and fart jokes I can stand. The premise of the new age fairy tale might also come across as cloying to some, as it is far more widespread now than it was then, from Disney’s more inventive live-action remakes to indie masterpieces. Finally, the best Shrek movie isn’t the first, and the first installment seems just a tad lacking when we now know that Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, and Julie Andrews will later bless the story with their talents.
Shrek’s Soundtrack Will Always Be A Revelation
Where Would We Be Without Rufus Wainwright & Smash Mouth?
Shrek certainly has one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, with a dreamy, very fairy-tale-esque original score that perfectly contrasts with some of the smartest early 2000s rock songs. I know what I said about the poop jokes, but there is no denying the iconic opening scene with that epic tune and classic storybook that is just enough of a reference to Disney before the whole thing is shattered by Smash Mouth’s “All Star”. It’s a flawless way of establishing what this story will be about.
And when “I’m a Believer” comes in at the end, signifying the genuine happy ending for characters who never thought they could have it, it is pure euphoria.
“Hallelujah” is now synonymous with Shrek. It’s a very intellectual choice to express Shrek and Fiona’s conflicted feelings at that moment that still strikes a chord. And when “I’m a Believer” comes in at the end, signifying the genuine happy ending for characters who never thought they could have it, it is pure euphoria. In that final scene especially, there is a sense of the perfect mechanism coming together, with the grungy fairy tale characters ironically nodding to the nature of the story they are in, mocking it, and enjoying it all the same.
Shrek
8/10
- Release Date
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May 18, 2001
- Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey are grounded, hilarious characters
- The world is vivid, with fun twists on different fairy tales
- The soundtrack is a masterful blend of genres
- Some of Shrek’s humor can get old fast