It’s the 20th anniversary of the release of Shrek!!
Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars
The movie won the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for best adapted screenplay. Entertainment Weekly put it on the “best-of” list for the decade. Shrek has spurred 3 sequels, 2 holiday specials, and a prequel spin off. It is now a stage musical, video game, and comic book mini-series. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
The Analysis:
This iconic film features lead characters voiced by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Shrek lovingly parodies classic fairy tales and princess movies, putting a new spin on the world of fantasy by centering the story on an ogre. Fairy tale creatures like Pinocchio and the Gingerbread Man have been banished to the swamp of Shrek, a huge, green ogre who enjoys his solitude and filthy habits. In order to get rid of the creatures, Shrek agrees to help the small but forceful Lord Farquaad by rescuing a princess from a tower. A talking donkey, with the original name of Donkey, joins Shrek on his adventure and hilarious hijinks ensue.
Shrek has such a lasting impact on pop culture because it has humor and heart for both kids and adults. The animation is excellent, the idea is fun, and the writing is hilarious. The soundtrack features pop music, oldies, and covers. Shoutout to Smash Mouth, who surged in popularity after their songs were featured in the film. Cultural references in the film to everything from A Christmas Carol to The Dating Game make the film feel familiar but fresh. Celebrate the anniversary of this hilarious animated film with a rewatch (and throw in Shrek 2 while you’re at it.)
Comments