Shrek
Shrek is a classic animated film that was released in 2001 by DreamWorks Animation. The movie was directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, and it was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $484 million worldwide. Shrek has since become a cultural icon, and it is widely considered one of the best animated films of all time. In this article, we will delve into the history, creation, and impact of the beloved cartoon character Shrek.
History:
The concept of Shrek was first developed in the 1990s by William Steig, a children's book author and illustrator. Steig wrote a picture book called "Shrek!" in 1990, which featured a grumpy and solitary ogre who lived in a swamp. The book was a commercial success, and it inspired the creators of Shrek to bring the character to life on the big screen.
Creation:
The filmmakers behind Shrek took Steig's original concept and expanded upon it, adding new elements and characters to the story. The film's script was written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who infused the story with humor, heart, and a bit of edge. The filmmakers also decided to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring the characters and environments to life, giving the film a unique look and feel that had never been seen before in an animated film.
The character of Shrek himself was voiced by Mike Myers, who brought the grumpy ogre to life with his distinctive voice and comedic timing. The film also starred Eddie Murphy as the wisecracking Donkey, Cameron Diaz as the feisty Princess Fiona, and John Lithgow as the villainous Lord Farquaad. The film's all-star cast, combined with its stunning visuals and memorable soundtrack, made Shrek an instant classic.
Plot:
Shrek tells the story of a grumpy and solitary ogre named Shrek who lives in a swamp. One day, Shrek's peace is interrupted when a group of fairy tale creatures, including the Three Little Pigs, Pinocchio, and Donkey, are banished to his swamp by the evil Lord Farquaad. Shrek sets out to confront Farquaad and demand that he remove the fairy tale creatures from his swamp.
Along the way, Shrek meets Princess Fiona, who has been locked away in a tower by Farquaad. Fiona is under a curse that will turn her into an ogre at night, and Shrek agrees to help her break the curse in exchange for Farquaad removing the fairy tale creatures from his swamp.
The rest of the film follows Shrek and Fiona as they embark on a journey to break the curse and defeat Farquaad. Along the way, they encounter obstacles and challenges, but they also discover a deep connection and affection for each other. In the end, Shrek and Fiona break the curse and live happily ever after.
Impact:
Shrek has had a profound impact on popular culture since its release in 2001. The film's irreverent and edgy humor, combined with its stunning visuals and memorable soundtrack, made it a huge hit with audiences of all ages. Shrek also challenged traditional fairy tale conventions and subverted the traditional prince-and-princess story, making it a unique and groundbreaking film.
The film's success led to a franchise, with three sequels and numerous spin-offs being released in the years following the original film. The Shrek franchise has become one of the most lucrative and beloved animated film franchises of all time, with a combined gross of over $3 billion worldwide.