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Shrek
Review of Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson's film
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Shrek is an outcast, a bad-tempered
ogre who enjoys above all his solitude. However, his precious loneliness is endangered by the sudden arrival
of hundreds of fantasy creatures who took refuge in his swamp, fleeing persecution from the local Lord. Decided to
get rid of these unwanted guests, he sets off to the Lord's castle to demand an explanation. Lord Farquaad offers him
a deal. If Shrek delivers a princess locked in a castle and brings her back to him,
he will then have his swamp cleared of every single creature. Helped by a self-proclaimed "friend", a
speaking donkey, Shrek accepts and sets on this very unusual quest in which no one is as they should be. |
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| One hundred per cent genuine fun, this
film plays on the viewers's expectations and reverse all the usual stereotypes in order to surprise and
entertain, but also to question the literary and cultural tradition of fairy tales and the not so innocent ideologies
they often carry. Thus, through Lord Farquaat's imprisonment and disposing of all those whom
he considers monstruous merely because they are different, so unfit to live in "his" perfect world, there is a
condemnation of fascist beliefs or of contemporary social conventions about youth, slimliness, clone-like beauty etc as the only
acceptable norm. In brief, a condemnation of intolerance in general and a celebration of diversity and differences. |
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| Technically, Shrek is groundbreaking.
The work on the texture of Fiona's hair, the expressions on the characters's faces, their movements, are simply
amazing. The animation is flawless and the
special effects are also very impressive, bringing more vivacity to the action. The shots are arranged
very skillfuly so as to reproduce natural camera moves, thus adding to the realism of the film. The pace is fast
and furious, jokes succeeding one another, irreverently revisiting many classics and ridiculing cinematic
clichés. |
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| Despite the great cynism in the tone
and its sense of parody, this film does not
completely drown in bitter cynism, just enough to match most grown-ups's own disillusion. In fact, there are many
romantic and moral considerations. It simply attempts
to redefine the rules and bring a more down-to-earth but also tolerant story of love, though still fairly magical
and sweet. |
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| It's great fun for everyone to enjoy
and has an edge, freshness, maturity and realism that most familial animation films just don't have. It is insolent
but not stupid or obscene, just provocative in a good "open your mind and get real" way, a bit in the spirit of Tex Avery's
satires. And the music is really cool too! |
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