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Title: Shrek (2001)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Mike Myers | ... | Shrek (voice) | |
| Eddie Murphy | ... | Donkey (voice) | |
| Cameron Diaz | ... | Princess Fiona (voice) | |
| John Lithgow | ... | Lord Farquaad (voice) | |
| Vincent Cassel | ... | Monsieur Hood (voice) | |
| Peter Dennis | ... | Ogre Hunter (voice) | |
| Clive Pearse | ... | Ogre Hunter (voice) | |
| Jim Cummings | ... | Captain of Guards (voice) | |
 |
Bobby Block | ... | Baby Bear (voice) |
| Chris Miller | ... | Geppetto / Magic Mirror (voice) | |
|
|
Cody Cameron | ... | Pinnochio / Three Pigs (voice) |
| Kathleen Freeman | ... | Old Woman (voice) | |
|
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Michael Galasso | ... | Peter Pan (voice) |
|
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Christopher Knights | ... | Blind Mouse (voice) |
|
|
Simon J. Smith | ... | Blind Mouse (voice) |
When a green ogre named Shrek discovers his swamp has been 'swamped' with all sorts of fairytale creatures by the scheming Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out with a very loud donkey by his side to 'persuade' Farquaad to give Shrek his swamp back. Instead, a deal is made. Farquaad, who wants to become the King, sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, who is awaiting her true love in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. But once they head back with Fiona, it starts to become apparent that not only does Shrek, an ugly ogre, begin to fall in love with the lovely princess, but Fiona is also hiding a huge secret. Written by Film_Fan
Shrek is one hell of an animated ride, and right when you're certain you know where to expect the next gag it one ups you. If you need a reason to see Shrek, here is that reason: imagine Eddie Murphy as an annoying not to mention obnoxious talking donkey. Yeah. Eddie Murphy gives Robin Williams a serious run for his money in terms of greatest animated side kick. From there we get Mike Myers voicing a big green ogre, who plays off Eddie Murphy with perfect comedic timing like the two were meant to do this film together.
Shrek is merciless in its humor. Targeting everything from fairy tales to Disney films to narrative clichés to bad puns, sliding in its own commentary, all the while giving the typical fantasy story a few modern twists and turns to deliver a strangely original unoriginal story with original unoriginal characters . . . that doesn't make sense, but Shrek does, does it well, and doesn't care. And you never know where this humor is going to come from, either either visual gag, musical nod, or spoken dialogue. All three provide their share of narrative and commentary to the concepts in Shrek.
I think the beauty of Shrek is it's taken the typical fairy tale (which all of us have heard), and it answers the silly 'what if . . .' and 'why don't they ever . . .' questions we tend to ask. But that's not the core of the story - the core of this story is the friendship between Shrek and Donkey, which works in a funny goofball, but touching and unique way. If the audience can buy into Shrek and Donkey's relationship to one another, then they can believe entire film (which more or less focuses on the adventure the two share together). True, Shrek has a love theme . . . but it's Donkey and Shrek who sustain the film through most of the picture.
As for Cameran Diaz and John Lithgow, while not on screen as much as our two heroes, still play an important role. I wouldn't want to downplay Lithgow and Diaz who do bring their respective characters to life, but Shrek is a tale about an enduring friendship with a romance story on the side.