Div's Crib
Shrek (2001)
[Buy Shrek]
Director: Andrew Adamson, Scott Marshall
Starring:
Mike Myers ... Shrek/Blind Mouse/Narrator
Eddie Murphy ... Donkey
Cameron Diaz ... Princess Fiona
John Lithgow ... Lord Farquaad of Duloc
Vincent Cassel ... Monsieur Hood
Peter Dennis ... Ogre Hunter
Clive Pearse ... Ogre Hunter
Jim Cummings ... Captain of Guards
Bobby Block ... Baby Bear
Chris Miller ... Geppetto/Magic Mirror
Cody Cameron ... Pinocchio/Three Pigs
Kathleen Freeman ... Old Woman
Michael Galasso ... Peter Pan
Christopher Knights ... Blind Mouse/Thelonious
Simon J. Smith ... Blind Mouse
Conrad Vernon ... Gingerbread Man
Jacquie Barnbrook ... Wrestling Fan
Shrek Review
William Steig's delightfully fractured fairy tale is the right stuff for this computer-animated adaptation full of verve and wit. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) evicts local fairy-tale creatures (including the now-famous Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and the Gingerbread Man), they settle in the ogre's swamp and Shrek wants answers from Farquaad. A quest of sorts starts for Shrek and his new pal, a talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), where battles have to be won and a princess (Cameron Diaz) must be rescued from a dragon lair in a thrilling action sequence. The story is stronger than most animated fare, but it's the humor that makes Shrek a winner.The PG rating is stretched when Murphy and Myers hit their strides. The mild potty humor is fun enough for 10-year-olds but will never embarrass their parents. Shrek is never as warm and inspired as the Toy Story films, but the realistic computer animation and a rollicking soundtrack keep the entertainment in fine form. Produced by DreamWorks, the film also takes several delicious stabs at its crosstown rival, Disney. -- Doug Thomas