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Shrek it is an animated film produced by DreamWorks Animation and released in 2001. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the film is loosely based on the children's book of the same name William Steig, published in 1990. Since its premiere, Shrek he became a cultural phenomenon and a revolution within animated cinema, thanks to his satirical approach, irreverent humor and endearing characters.
This film was not only a commercial success, but it also changed the rules of the game in terms of how stories can be told within the animated genre. Her parody style broke the molds of traditional fairy tales, mocking them with intelligence and heart. In recognition, Shrek was the first film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, category that was inaugurated in 2002.
Synopsis
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The story follows Shrek, a solitary ogre who lives peacefully in his swamp. His life is interrupted when a large number of fairy tale creatures (Cop, including the Three Little Pigs, Pinocchio and the Big Bad Wolf) invade his home, after being expelled by order of the evil one Lord Farquaad, who wishes to purge his kingdom of ÚNmundicias ar.
To regain peace from his swamp, Shrek travels to Duloc, the kingdom of Farquaad, and proposes a deal: he will rescue the princess Fiona (locked in a tower guarded by a dragon) in exchange for the villain removing the magical creatures from his property.
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During his mission, Shrek is accompanied by a talkative and endearing donkey, simply known as Donkey. Together they face challenges and discover that Fiona keeps a very special secret: she is cursed and transforms into an ogre every night. Throughout the trip, Shrek and Fiona fall in love, and the ogre must face his own prejudices and fears to recognize his feelings.
Cast
The film has a very outstanding cast of voices that gave life and unique personality to each character.
Original voices in English:
- Mike Myers like Shrek: The protagonist, a grumpy but kind-hearted ogre. Myers plays the character with a Scottish accent, which became a trademark of the character.
- Eddie Murphy like Donkey (Donkey): A hyperactive, loyal and funny donkey who becomes Shrek's best friend. His fast and expressive humor became one of the film's strongest points.
- Cameron Diaz like Princess Fiona: A strong, independent and brave princess, who hides a big secret.
- John Lithgow like Lord Farquaad: The main antagonist, a tyrannical and self-centered nobleman who seeks to become king.
Voices in Latin Spanish:
- Alfonso Obregon like Shrek
- Eugenio Derbez like Donkey
- Sweet Warrior like Fiona
- Carlos Segundo like Lord Farquaad
It should be noted that the dubbing in Latin Spanish was very well received by the public, especially for Eugenio Derbez's performance as Burro, adding a touch of local humor that connected deeply with Spanish-speaking audiences.
Criticisms
Shrek it was received with praise by both specialized critics and the general public. One of the most celebrated aspects was his ability to masterfully mix adult humor and children's entertainment.
The site Rotten Tomatoes it gave him a score of 88% of approval from critics, with critics highlighting the impressive animation, the creativity of the script, and the stellar voice cast. In Metacritic, the film got a 84/100, indicating “aclamación universal”.
One of the most mentioned points in the reviews was the way Shrek demystifies traditional fairy tales. It turns stereotypes on their head: the ogre is the hero, the princess is not perfect, and the prince is actually a villain. This role reversal was considered innovative and refreshing.
Public reception
The movie was a resounding commercial success. With a budget of approximately 60 million dollars, Shrek raised more than 484 million dollars all over the world.
It became one of the highest-grossing films of 2001 and established DreamWorks Animation as a serious competitor to Pixar. Shrek's character quickly became a cultural icon, appearing in multiple sequels, video games, live shows, and theme park attractions.
Besides Shrek he achieved a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers for his message about self-acceptance, true love and friendship. The impact was so great that the United States Library of Congress selected the film in 2020 for preservation in the National Film Registry, considering it “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant”.
Technical and visual aspects
Animation
At the time, Shrek it was one of the most ambitious computer-animated films ever made. Although their graphics may now seem somewhat rudimentary compared to current productions, in 2001 they represented the pinnacle of 3D animation.
DreamWorks used advanced software to create realistic facial expressions, fluid movements, and detailed environments. Especially striking was the creation of the dragon, which combined threat with tenderness, something difficult to achieve visually.
Character and scenario design
Each character was designed with attention to detail and a very particular aesthetic that moved away from classic “perfectos” models. Shrek, with his robust build and rough features, contrasted with Duloc's artificially beautiful world, helping to reinforce the film's thematic message.
Lord Farquaad's castle, for example, is designed as a parody of Disney-type theme parks, exaggerating symmetry, cleanliness and surface perfection.
Soundtrack
The music of Shrek it was also a great success. The soundtrack included iconic songs such as ÎAll Star armen of Smash Mouth (opening theme) and IEI'm a Believer ar (used in the closing credits), both fundamental to the irreverent tone of the film.
The incidental music was provided by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell, who achieved a perfect balance between adventure, emotion and comedy.
Conclusion
Shrek it's not just a fun animated film. It's a statement of principles, a witty critique of classic story stereotypes, and a celebration of difference. It forever changed the way we view fairy tales in film, proving that true heroes are not always perfect or meet traditional standards of beauty or nobility.
With innovative animation for its time, a script loaded with intelligent satire, memorable characters and a huge heart, Shrek he left an indelible mark on film history. Its success gave rise to multiple sequels, shorts, specials and a fan base that remains active more than two decades later.
Today, Shrek it is considered a modern classic, both for its cinematographic value and for its cultural legacy. Its message remains relevant: no matter what you look like or where you come from, everyone deserves love, friendship, and acceptance.
