Great animated fairytale. Best out of the whole shrek trilogy.
Shrek
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Gross-out laughs meet a marvelous fairytale mix.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Sexy stuff:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Shrek was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie is rated PG, but it includes some edgy humor directed at teens and adults. It's a shame that Hollywood finds it necessary to include this material in a movie that would be otherwise perfect family fare, but that's the economic reality of this era of moviemaking. The jokes teens and adults snicker at (like when Shrek wonders if the small Lord Farquaad is compensating for something with his very tall castle) will be over the heads of most younger kids, but parents should be ready for some questions. There's also plenty of potty humor and gross-out joke directed at kids – mostly based on the appalling personal habits of ogres. Scary scenes for young ones include fights with guards, villagers coming after Shrek with pitchforks, and a fire-breathing dragon (who turns nice when she falls for Donkey). A bird explodes and its eggs are eaten, and a character is eaten in one gulp by the dragon, but it's not graphic.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about Donkey's statement that Shrek has "that kind of 'I don't care what nobody thinks of me' thing." Is it true that Shrek didn't care what people thought of him? How can you tell? What did it mean to say that ogres are like onions? What does it mean to say that people have layers? Princess Fiona expected Prince Charming to save her and Shrek came instead. How did she change her mind about him? How did it help her to accept herself? Why is self-acceptance so important?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Shrek
What’s the Story?
It has an enchanted princess in a tower, guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. It has a donkey that not only talks, and not only sings, but sings the old Monkees' song, "I'm a Believer." It has an evil (but short) bad guy, kickboxing, a Robin Hood and Merry Men who perform an Irish Riverdance, potty humor, and some digs at Disney. It has sensational animation, adventure, romance, and laughter. And most of all, it has Shrek, a big, green ogre who lives happily alone in a swamp until Lord Farquaad of nearby Dulac sets out to create the perfect kingdom by getting rid of all of the fairy tale characters and sending them to "a designated resettlement community." Soon, the three blind mice, the three little pigs, the gingerbread man, all the broom-flying witches, Pinocchio, and a talking donkey are all relocated to the swamp. Shrek is furious at the intrusion. He makes a deal with Farquaad, who needs to marry a princess to put the final touch on his kingdom. Shrek will rescue Princess Fiona and bring her to Farquaad, and Farquaad will give Shrek his swamp back.
Is It Any Good?
The movie is a marvelous fairy tale, with a thrilling quest and a happily-ever-after ending. It has the great themes of enduring myths, about believing in yourself, being loved for the person you really are, and good triumphing over evil. It is also a delicious satire, tweaking all of our assumptions about ogres, princesses, rescues, and even fire-breathing dragons. The voice talents of Mike Myers (as the Scottish-burred Shrek), Eddie Murphy (as Donkey the talking donkey), Cameron Diaz (as Princess Fiona), and John Lithgow (as Farquaad) are all perfect.
The computer animation is breathtaking, like nothing seen before it. The textures are stunning. The glass, fire, clouds, and water seem three-dimensional, and you will feel that Donkey's fur almost brushes your hand. The animation has wonderful warmth and depth, but it also has a great deal of character and wit. The facial expressions and body language are such a treat that the audience can't help thinking that if ogres and donkeys and don't really look like that, they should.
Movie Details
Studio: Dreamworks SKG, Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/18/2001, DVD release: 11/2/2001
MPAA Rating: PG for language and some crude humor
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/18/2001, DVD release: 11/2/2001
MPAA Rating: PG for language and some crude humor
Our Members Say
See all 50 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
more of a kids' movie; but adults could stand it
-
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Okay, not my fave.
It was a pretty good beginning, but not as good as 2, and barely better than 3. Cartoonish violence and a few curses here and there, prescreen for younger ones.
-
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Good movie, a bit gross and immature, but kids will love it. Spent a lot of time watching this when I was younger.
-
I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Hilarious
I greatly enjoyed this well made movie.
-
I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
great
lots of vilonce and language but nothinng else.
-
I rate this title off for age 5 and give it
Great for 6+ but younger kids won't get it
I watched this with my 3 year old. Whilst there was nothing in it that I didn't want him to see, much of the humour went way over his head. Also he spent most of the film asking me why Shrek and Fiona were being nasty to everyone
-
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
:)
Love it! :)
-
Lives in Ohio -
I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Filled with sexual references, not really a film for young kids
This film is perfectly fine for 11 year olds and over. 10 year olds need parental guidance. The content is too iffy for young kids.
-
Lives in FloridaI rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
-
I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
kewl
-
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
LOVED it
What can I say? Shrek's a lovable fellow. I didnt know what a "parfait" was at the time i saw it, though
-
I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great, but iffy.
John goodman rules!!!!!
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
John Goodman is hysterical!
I love this movie! john Goodman and Eddie Murphy are good!
-
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Goodman is great
John Goodman is great as Shrek! Who else could've done it! almost as good as Goodman's Monsters inc
-
I rate this title off for age 13 and give it
Funny, but not really appropriate for young kids.
I have younger children and found that this movie was very funny, but way to full of unnuendo's for my children. Everyone always says they won't get it, but I feel that if you continue to shove it in their faces over and over--they will. I would not allow my oldest child (11) to even see this movie. I would have to say it would be okay for 13 and up.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
good fairytale mix.
i like how the director mixed the fairy tales in one movie.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great movie. Even my little four year old brother liked it.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Really great movie for any age.
This movie, in a word, was excellent. While the premise of it might seem like a regular children's movie, it was far from that. It was hilarious from beginning to end, had no violence, sexual content, or crude humor, and was a great movie. Eddie Murphy as the donkey and Mike Myers as Shrek were superb, and the number of jabs that the movie made at Disney franchises was impressive and hilarious. Definitely see this movie if you haven't yet, it's entertaining from start to finish, and is a very fun movie for the whole family.
-
I rate this title pause for age 5 and give it
Children's Fantasy Plus
This movie is great for children - most of the offensive stuff is over their heads.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Lists for kids who love adventures
Favorite Fantasy Flicks (5-8)
Movie Beasts, Monsters, and More (5-8)
See more lists
