Shrek the Halls - TV-PG

Christmas in the swamp is great family fun.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: ABC Cast: Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that none of the content in this half-hour holiday special will be surprising to viewers familiar with the full-length Shrek movies. While there's less adult-oriented humor and fewer innuendoes, you can expect plenty of the usual potty humor -- burping, gas passing, nose picking, and vomiting (the latter of which is limited to a chocolate chip from Gingerbread Man's upset tummy, but it's quickly eaten by Donkey). And don't be surprised if your kids' interest in the ubiquitous Shrek merchandise is refreshed ... just in time for the holidays.

Families can talk about why specials like this are produced. Is it just to entertain kids, or does the studio have other goals? What might those be? Kids: Did watching this show make you want more Shrek stuff? Do you think that was the plan? Aside from ads, how else does the media market to kids? Families can also discuss how this special compares to the movies. Kids: Did you like this show as much as the movies? Why or why not? Which one is your favorite so far?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

DreamWorks adds another chapter to its most successful franchise with SHREK THE HALLS, a half-hour holiday special starring everyone's favorite ogre, his new family, and a colorful ensemble of other fairy tale creatures.

The story picks up just before Christmas. While everyone else is filled with cheer for the upcoming holiday, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) is as ornery as ever. Despite Donkey's (Eddie Murphy) repeated attempts to boost his buddy's Christmas spirit, Shrek has no desire to celebrate -- but for the sake of Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and their babies, he attempts to do his part to make the family's first holiday together a memorable one.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale creatures take Shrek's lack of yuletide joy as cause for intervention and show up unannounced on his doorstep to "help." But it will take a lot more than caroling and cookies to get Shrek in the mood to share his hoped-for peaceful family holiday in the swamp with Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas), Gingerbread Man (Conrad Vernon), and the rest of the well-meaning gang.

Shrek the Halls will certainly entertain young fans of the movies, and if your kids are already immune to the series' potty humor, there's no cause for concern here. And grown ups who enjoy Shrek's arch humor will appreciate that the show fits seamlessly into the movies' storyline, from plot and character continuity to the recognizable voice cast.

But you might want to brace yourself for a refreshed interest in ubiquitous Shrek merchandise like toys, games, DVDs, and clothing -- just in time for your kids' holiday wish lists, of course.

Fairy tale fans may also enjoy Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Enchanted. And for more holiday fun, try The Santa Clause and its sequels.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Rare, very mild innuendo. For example, in one scene, Shrek mentions giving Fiona the "goose," after which he quickly presents a cooked goose.
Violence Some play fighting includes kicking and slapping. An animated gingerbread cookie is eaten by Santa while her companion watches helplessly. Shrek is accidentally set on fire.
Language No swearing, but occasional use of "butt."
Message
	Social Behavior Potty humor is prevalent -- burping, passing gas, and nose picking are common fare. In one scene, Gingerbread Man vomits a chocolate chip, which Donkey promptly eats.
	Commercialism No overt advertising/product placement in this installment in the franchise, but kid-targeted Shrek merchandise (toys, games, clothing, accessories, DVDs) already line store shelves.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco