Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Shrek (2001)

Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Shrek is the sort of 'new' ogre the world's been waiting for - he's house-proud, a keen chef, mild-mannered (unless provoked), and a heart beats under his thick green skin, if only someone could break through his gruff isolation. Princess Fiona reckons she's the one; but the trouble with princesses who've spent too long cooped up in castles is that they tend to have a shaky grasp of reality. When Shrek comes a-rescuin' her from the dragon that's been gobbling her suitors, she takes a while to comprehend that her real claimant is Lord Farquaad, a tyrant of limited personal stature, who has contracted out her deliverance in return for ridding Shrek of the various pesky fairytale characters milling around his manor. DreamWorks is clearly picking up the pace with its animated features. Technically, the film's a triumph. Gag by gag - and there's a stream - it's merrily irreverent, visually and vocally. The bigger picture, though, is rather more conventional. The play with fairytale clichés merely freshens them up for re-use; and the moral comes served with earnest sentimentality. Not sure about the 'hip' soundtrack playlist, either.

Author: NB

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing