Home » Film & TV » Film & TV Reviews » Shrek

Shrek

© James C. Hess

Ever since Eddie Murphy got himself into trouble with the law when he, uh, got caught with his hand in the cookie jar he has made a very concerted effort to do projects that present him not as the wise-cracking street performer he started out as but as a family entertainer: "The Nutty Professor", "Dr. Doolittle", "The Nutty Professor 2", and "The PJs".

And now, "Shrek".

On the surface "Shrek" is family entertainment. But is it? Consider:

A scene in "Shrek" when Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) has the Gingerbread Man tortured by dipping him in milk; the scene when Princess Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) singing voice is so piercing to the ear that it causes bluebirds to explode; Princess Fiona following this up by cooking the eggs.

I supposed it all depends on one's definition of family entertainment. And I suppose it depends on whether or not what Eddie Murphy does can be considered wholesome entertainment.

Given what passes for entertainment these days courtesy of the Hollywood machine Eddie Murphy IS wholesome entertainment.

Albeit wicked, sly, underhanded, and definitely bawdy.

Regardless of your definition of family entertainment, wholesome entertainment, and your opinion of Eddie Murphy until now after you see "Shrek" you will agree about one thing:

It is fun. Pure and simple.

"Shrek" is a delight. It is, with animation that is an absolute marvel. Especially Shrek and his trumpet-shaped ears.

Pay attention, Yoda.

Shrek is performed by Mike Meyers, who does well enough, even if he is doing nothing more than a variation on his Fat Bastard character from "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me".

Shrek, it should be noted, is an orge who lives in a swamp surrounded and defined by signs that read "Keep Out" and "Beware the Ogre". The signs are Shrek's making, as he wants nothing more than to be left alone.

But will he achieve his wishes? No. His solitude is violated by creatures (cartoon, at that) who have been banished from Lord Farquaad's kingdom.

If these creatures strike you as creatures you know, you are correct: The Three Little Pigs, the Three Bears, the Three Blind Mice, Tinkerbell, the Big Bad Wolf, Pinocchio, the Magic Mirror, Cinderella, Snow White, Princess Fiona--just to name a handful.

But do you know these creatures in this context? The answer to this question should be: No.

The reason for this is thus: Jeffrey Katzenberg, now a partner at Dreamworks, the studio responsible for "Shrek", formerly of Disney, from which he was hastily departed a number of years ago, who finally has revenge for his termination at the Magic Castle.