Shrek (2001)

Shrek (2001)

7/10

Starring the voices of

Mike Myers

Eddie Murphy

Cameron Diaz

Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson

I just watched Shrek again for the first time in forever, and seeing it in 2020, I can confidently say it still holds up and is just as funny as ever.

Donkey is still hilarious, and it’s hard to imagine how Shrek would have worked without him. The dynamic between Shrek and Donkey is what makes this animation so enjoyable to watch. While the romance between Shrek and Fiona adds a heartfelt and unexpected layer to the story, it’s the dynamic duo of Shrek and Donkey that makes the movie truly memorable.

Hats off to the team behind the voice casting because Eddie Murphy was born to voice Donkey. His comedic timing and delivery elevate the character, making him unforgettable.

This was the movie that put DreamWorks on the map as a serious contender against Disney in the animation world. It spawned three sequels and a hilarious spin-off, proving its lasting impact.

The story begins with a lone ogre named Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) living peacefully in his swamp. We get a glimpse of his solitary life, which he seems to enjoy. Meanwhile, Lord Farquaad has begun rounding up magical creatures in the kingdom, and one of them, a talking Donkey, manages to escape. While running from soldiers, Donkey stumbles upon Shrek, who scares the soldiers away. Donkey is immediately taken with Shrek and talks his ear off until Shrek reluctantly lets him stay.

That night, Shrek’s peaceful life is interrupted when the magical creatures show up at his swamp, seeking refuge after being driven out of their homes. Furious, Shrek decides to confront Lord Farquaad to get his swamp back.

Farquaad, meanwhile, is on a quest to become king. To do this, he needs to marry Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz), who is trapped in a tower guarded by a dragon. Since neither he nor his soldiers are brave enough to rescue her, he decides to find a champion to do the job. Enter Shrek and Donkey. When they storm into Farquaad’s court demanding answers, Farquaad strikes a deal: if Shrek rescues Fiona and brings her back, he’ll get his swamp back.

Shrek agrees, and since Donkey refuses to leave his side, the two set off on their adventure.

The rescue itself is chaotic and far from the fairy-tale ideal Fiona was expecting. She’s baffled when her rescuer turns out to be an ogre rather than a Prince Charming. We also learn that her "true love’s kiss" is more important than it initially seems—a twist best left for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie to discover on their own.

The journey back to Farquaad is where most of the funny moments happen. Watching this magical tale twist into something completely unexpected is what makes the screenplay so brilliant and worth respecting.

Shrek set a milestone as the first-ever winner of the Best Animated Feature award at the Oscars. It was both a critical and commercial success, earning over $480 million on a $60 million budget.

Rewatching Shrek during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 reminded me how timeless it is. It still delivers the laughs, even after all these years.

A second part was done three years (2004) later, Shrek 2.