Shrek (PG) No Rating

Once upon a time there was a big, green but not-so mean ogre who just wanted to be left alone. But when an evil lord ruins the ogre's peace and solitude, the beleaguered one agrees to rescue a princess in return for his privacy. The ogre then falls in love with the princess--but will they live happily ever after?

Story

Based on a book by William Steig, the deliriously warped Shrek unfolds as a vividly rendered computer-animated romp with a heart as big as its hero. It also lovingly evokes the spirit of traditional fairy tales while spoofing such contemporary cultural cornerstones as The Matrix and Babe. Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) longs for peace and solitude, but the likes of Goldilocks and the Three Pigs seek solace in Shrek's swamp after being expelled from a fiefdom run by the diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Farquaad agrees to remove the fairy-tale characters from Shrek's land should the ogre rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a tower guarded by a dragon. With the trusty but jabbering Donkey (Eddie Murphy) by his side, Shrek saves Fiona. He soon falls for her but, fearing rejection, dares not tell her of his love. Fiona, meanwhile, harbors a dark secret that could ruin her impending marriage to Farquaad.

Acting

Imagine a kinder, gentler version of Myers' Fat Bastard from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. That's Shrek. Myers' Scottish brogue brings out the charm in an ogre emotionally crippled by a severe lack of self-esteem. Myers restrains himself, but that's because Shrek plays the straight monster to Murphy's loud-mouthed Donkey. (Yes, expect plenty of ass jokes at Donkey's expense.) Murphy's a riot as he lets loose, firing off one zinger after another or bursting into song. A spunky Diaz ensures that her Princess Fiona could teach Charlie's Angels a lesson or two in romance and survival skills. As Farquaad--avoid saying his name too fast when in the company of children--Lithgow is suitably Napoleonic. He also claims some of Shrek's funniest moments, including a priceless Dating Game take-off, with Farquaad picking out his princess via selections put forth by a stolen Magic Mirror.

Direction

Shrek immediately sets aside any notions that this is a grand Disney-ified fairy tale plump with Broadway-style tunes. The first glimpse of Shrek comes when the ogre dashes out of an outhouse, having employed a page torn from a book of fairy tales for hygienic purposes. Other bodily functions--executed with childish delight--soon follow. Shrek also tickles a parent's funny bone, most notably with its song parodies (pity the bluebird that sings a duet with Fiona). Yet the film's strange and twisted ways do not prevent Shrek from being an enchanting paean to the power of love and friendship. Shrek does harbor a less benevolent agenda, one which playfully skewers all things Disney. Producer Jeffrey Katzenberg--who left Disney under bad terms--pokes gentle fun at the company's canon of fairy-tale characters and the sterile environment of its theme parks. Disney execs may not laugh, but everyone else will.

Bottom line

Forget Pinocchio or Snow White: children will want their parents to read them the adventures of Shrek when it's time to pick a bedtime story.