Movie Night: Shrek.

Review #214: Shrek.

Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad), Vincent Cassel ("Monsieur" Robin Hood), Conrad Vernon (Gingerbread Man), Chris Miller (Geppetto / Magic Mirror), Cody Cameron (Pinocchio / The Three Little Pigs), Simon J. Smith (Three Blind Mice), Christopher Knights (Three Blind Mice and Thelonius), Aron Warner (Big Bad Wolf) Directed by Andrew Adamson (#162 - Shrek 2) and Vicky Jenson (#164 - Shark Tale)

Review
In a way, I'm kinda glad that I'm done reviewing Dreamworks related films for a while (If there were more, I'd have to rename myself "Animation Movie Night", and that would get...Well...) Anyway, the film had a bit of a weird process of being made, with Chris Farley originally being cast as Shrek until his death in 1997, afterwards being replaced by Mike Myers. Did I mention this was based off a book? (by William Steig) But despite all that, this film is good. Aside from the charming animation, the acting is good, with enough jokes to keep interest for everyone to the very end. This was Dreamworks' first big success (bigger then Prince of Egypt, Antz), which would cement them as an animation powerhouse (who may or may not be as good as Pixar. Some say the latter). Either way, this film would be the basis for a very successful film series.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Shrek 2.

Review #162: Shrek 2.

Cast
Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Jennifer Saunders (Fairy Godmother), John Cleese (King Harold), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), and Rupert Everett (Prince Charming) Directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon.

Review
This film is possibly better then the first (which I could not review due to not having the disk, though I have watched the film in the past), with more character introductions and more fun. the voices are good, especially from Banderas, who reminds me of Zorro (which he also has done in the past). The film is darker in tone, with people being forced in love, ogre-killers, and other things. My only question is a small possibly non relevant question: Near the end at the prison, how do Shrek's friends (Gingerbread Man, Wolf, the pigs) get to the prison that quickly? We see earlier that Far Far Away is indeed far away from the swamp. Perhaps the prison is not exactly in Far Far Away, but it's not a big flaw. This film sets the tone for the third film, which could be a good thing or a bad thing...This ends Part III of Dreamworks Animation Week. Stay tuned for Part IV...

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.