 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Scared Shrekless
- Review Date: October 28, 2010
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Halloween "scary tale" is a real treat for families.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that for kids who are familiar with Shrek and his pals, there’s nothing in the content of this very funny Halloween special that will surprise them. Mild peril includes some inferences of a ghostly presence as well as some brief instances of knives or magic wands brandished as weapons, and in one scene, characters sing about chopping off heads and then laughing about it. Expect a fair amount of the trademark potty humor (vomiting, pooping, and the like) that Shrek is famous for, as well as one very subtle bit of sexual innuendo. Of course there’s also the major marketing tie-in as well, since Shrek’s face graces everything from lunch boxes to loungewear, but more than anything, families should prepare to laugh at this treat of a Halloween special.
What's the story?
It’s the ogre tots’ first Halloween, and while they’re out spooking trick-or-treaters, the fairytale characters are setting up camp in Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) house to scare them. When their surprise doesn’t have the effect they hoped for, Shrek challenges Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss (Antonio Banderas), Gingy (Conrad Vernon), and the others to a scary tales contest at Lord Farquaad’s creepy abandoned castle. As they swap terrifying tall tales and keep an eye out for Farquaad’s ghost, it’s a battle of nerves until just one winner remains.
Is it any good?
Four full-length movies and two holiday specials later, these ogres prove that they’re anything but rough around the edges. Shrek and Fiona are as imperfectly lovable as ever, and their hodge-podge of faithful friends can still dish out the laughs with the best of them. Longtime fans won’t be disappointed in this festive tale, which revisits Donkey and Puss’s contentious relationship, gives the Duloc singers the stage once more, and chronicles Gingy’s attempts to create the perfect mate.
No one familiar with Shrek will be surprised that SCARED SHREKLESS has its fair share of potty humor (vomiting, a kick to the groin, and Gingy poops sprinkles in a moment of fear), and the Halloween theme and spooky setting calls for ghostly voices and some very mild peril. But fear not; none of this makes it off-limits for kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about media marketing. Why do advertisers use the images of characters like Shrek on products like candy, clothing, and accessories? What kinds of things have you seen characters’ pictures on? Does seeing their picture make you want the item more? Why or why not?
Do you think the Shrek stories should continue? Have you enjoyed the later movies as much as you did the first couple? How do they keep the stories fresh and funny? How do new characters help the movies succeed?
Is Shrek a good role model? What are some of his best qualities? Is there anything about him that you wouldn’t want to imitate? Can Shrek be considered a hero in any way? How does he show that he’s a good person? A good friend?
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AGE
This is one of those cartoons that is really for adults. It spoofs adult movies. It portrays a smothering girlfriend as scary-- not a message I want to send to my boys. It spoofs The Exorcist, which is not funny if you understand what it is portraying. Yes, most went over my preschooler's head but I was uncomfortable watching with my 9 yr old! It wasn't even funny for the kids.
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AGE
grandmother to two grand children who have watched all shrek movies with enjoyment.....I found this short movie Sick..do i want to subject my grand children to this sick humoor....Definatley NOT....will not be having any involvement with shrek again.......Do we really need to witness hanging even if it is a wooden toy...
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Kid, 11 years old
October 29, 2010
AGE
Awesome!
It's really funny. My Mom and dad liked how it was based on some scary movies you never want to see. It was also a bit scary to. Like in gingeys story ( like the bride of chucky my sister said) the bride cookie got thown into a mixing bowl and then it made a whole bunch of bride cookies and they got gingey. But then shrek and his friends found out he was not telling the truth.Then in puss and donkeys story the were staying at the motel ,that one was a bit scary. Then there was this other one were shrek was the babysitter and pinnocho throwed up on him. Then shrek scared donkey ( with help from fiona and the kids). It ended with them egging the sevan dwarfs. Over all I really liked it, all kids over seven will not get scared. The first story was a bit disturbing though, It was not scary to give anybody nightmares i think. It was so funny when they were at the information booth ( as seen in the first one) and they were singing a scary song. It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
A shrekish parody of some scary movies and tales.
Besides the title representing a bad phrase, the special isn't to bad. Kinda freeky though, but still makes you laugh. Might be a tad bit scary to the little ogre lovers watching this. A ginger bread girlfriend for beloved charecter Gingy comes back from the dead as a zombie to become his eternal sweetheart. Pinnochio gets possesed saying that voices in his head are telling him what to do and he does a bunch of creepy stuff as well as violent actions. Including a gross scene where he vomits.
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AGE
This should come with a warning for parents
My 9 year old didn't find this scary at all, but the spoofing of original films really went over his head. I, on the other hand, would like to never see anything related to The Exorcist. Blame it on me seeing it when I was way too young. The synopsis was very vague as to what the movie was about.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 19, 2011
AGE
Looks cool
Have not seen it, but I want to see it so bad! Shrek is awesome, he would make a very great halloween special! I know it. but I never knew there would be some swearing in it so I hope my parents will let me watch it. I bet they will because I have watched many movies and TV shows with swearing in it and It would be funny if donkey got waffles for halloween instead of candy because he loves waffles so much! But I dont know if it is actually going to happen because I have never seen it and all the shrek movies are funny and have funny jokes in it and I bet they will have one about waffles? I will watch it.
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AGE
pretty cool :)
haha i loved it. it was too funny. both my 9 yr old brother and i watched it :)
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AGE
Lots of Laughs for any age!!
My 3 yr old laughed so hard....it sounded like it came all the from his toes
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AGE
A bit too edgy for kids below 12?
Both my kids (8+) were uncomfortable watching this. The hanging, etc. is a bit close to the edge. We ended up turning it off at my younger one's request.
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AGE
Yeah
It may be a little scary for young kids but is fun for kids 8 plus
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, fairy tales, friendship |
| Studio: | DreamWorks Animation |
| Directors: | Gary Trousdale, Raman Hui |
| Cast: | Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 21 minutes |
| DVD release date: | September 13, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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