Shrek / Shrek 3D - Party in the Swamp

In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers) a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters such as the Big Bad Wolf the Three Little Pigs and Three Blind Mice all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). They want to save their homes from ruin and enlist the help of Shrek who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey (Eddie Murphy) who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig and features additional voice-work by Vincent Cassel Cody Cameron and Kathleen Freeman.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: N/A UPC: 097361248141 Manufacturer No: 124814

William Steig's delightfully fractured fairy tale is the right stuff for this computer-animated adaptation full of verve and wit. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) evicts local fairy-tale creatures (including the now-famous Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and the Gingerbread Man), they settle in the ogre's swamp and Shrek wants answers from Farquaad. A quest of sorts starts for Shrek and his new pal, a talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), where battles have to be won and a princess (Cameron Diaz) must be rescued from a dragon lair in a thrilling action sequence. The story is stronger than most animated fare, but it's the humor that makes Shrek a winner. The PG rating is stretched when Murphy and Myers hit their strides. The mild potty humor is fun enough for 10-year-olds but will never embarrass their parents. Shrek is never as warm and inspired as the Toy Story films, but the realistic computer animation and a rollicking soundtrack keep the entertainment in fine form. Produced by DreamWorks, the film also takes several delicious stabs at its crosstown rival, Disney. --Doug Thomas