 | 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. |
Shrek
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Gross-out laughs meet a marvelous fairytale mix.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
Its a perfectly funny movie for older kids and adults...but I was very unhappy with the sexual content. I can get past some potty talk and even some violence because I can use things things as examples to my children of how NOT to be, but why throw in things like the gingerbread man wearing pink thong underwear or songs and dances where the fairy godmother has her "sexy" guys (or something to that effect as she calls them) smacking their own bottoms???? To me it was not just the innuendos that would supposedly go over kids heads (which I do not agree with either, exposure is exposure) but it is the out and out in your face stuff that most parents do not even seem to NOTICE. Has our society really become that desensitized to sexual content??? I should not have to explain this stuff to my kids in this manor. Its one thing to explain sexual function, love, etc. to your children, another to expose them to the raunchy side of it...they will experience that all on their own one day, they do not need to see it in their cartoons as kids! For that reason, I think this was best left for a teen and up audience...though I really would not love it for MY kids even as teens!
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AGE
Even at 6+, I don't want my kiddos to watch a "kid" movie that has profanities. Should be kept out entirely or rated PG-13 at least.
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AGE
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
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AGE
This is a cool movie. It does have some potty humor. This is a funny movie.
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AGE
Shrek
Sexual Content (Not an Issue): Some kissing and innuendo.
Violence (Pause): A character is threatened with pitchforks and torches, a bird explodes, a character is eaten by a dragon, and characters are constantly in peril. Some slapstick.
Language (Pause): Ass, D**n, and crap.
Social Behavior (On): A strong theme of the movie is accepting others for what's on the inside.
Commercialism (Not an Issue): No product placement in the movie, but Shrek is a huge marketing empire.
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Not an Issue): None.
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AGE
Excellent
This is a brilliant movie, with some mild language. This movie is still, to this day, an all-time family favourite
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AGE
a kid movie that has too much that is not for little kids
It's not bad, but it is not really a kid's movie. The jokes are often about mature themes, involving drinking, romance, etc. I do not understand who in Hollywood thinks this is OK in an animated movie aimed at kids. My young boys do not get the jokes, so some might argue that it is harmless, but repeated exposure to this kind of thing early on doesn't seem good. Do I later want my young men to consider young women based on their preferred alcoholic beverage? No.
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AGE
Fight scenes unnecessary in movie aimed towards younger kids, or really any kids
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AGE
Funny Family Film !
(Shrek) is a funny family film that involves some gross, but funny
parts. This IS an animated film,but this animated film does include
some suggestive humor younger children(ages 5 - 7)won't understand and mild language including some brief insulting and brief mild cursing.(Even though I had some issue for younger kids about this movie) I give this funny animated fairytale an ON for ages 7 - 8 + and an A -. This is one funny animated family you and your family DO NOT want to miss on DVD today.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies, adventures, book characters, friendship, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | DreamWorks |
| Directors: | Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson |
| Cast: | Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 93 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 18, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | November 2, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | language and some crude humor |
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