Shrek 1

This animated movie involves four main characters, Shrek who is interpreted by Mike Myers (the actor from Austin Power movies), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). This is the kind of movie that kids can see to learn valuable lessons of friendship, to never let down a friend, to aim high when you fight for your dreams, and most importantly, to fight for the true love without excuses.

The movie starts with Shrek adjusting a warning drawing with his angry face at the entrance of his domains, because he doesn’t like any kind of visits, he’s an ogre after all. While he was doing this he meets a donkey by accident. The donkey was running away from the soldiers that were buying magic creatures from fairy tales. This donkey could talk and was being sold by a granny. The moment that the soldiers identify the ogre they immediately run away, afraid to be eaten. Against his will, the ogre accepts the donkey to spend the night in his domains when, suddenly, he hears somebody whisper near his table. Unluckily for Shrek, all magic creatures that were bought just a few hours ago. They were sent there by Lord Farquaad, the incredibly tiny king that controls the country. The only way he could get some peace was talking to him in person, and so the adventure began. The donkey was his guide during this long journey, but when he finds the king, this one ordered all his warriors to attack him and the winner would have the honor of rescuing a princess so he could get married in order to be crowned absolute king.

Both Shrek and Donkey travel to an active volcano which center there is a ruined castle with a high tower and a dragon as guardian. The tale says that they must kill the dragon and rescue the princess whit a true love kiss but they skipped some parts and go straight to trouble with the princess Fiona, who believes is being rescued by his blue knight, not an ogre. They miraculously escape in one piece, at that point the princess knows the story of Lord Farquaad.

On their way back home they go through different obstacles, thieves, rough paths and the falling sun. Every time the sun sets, the princess must hide because of the spell a witch made to her, beautiful in the day, different when the sun sets, she becomes an ogre too, but believes the true love kiss would release her to be happy with his love one.

But when his mission is complete in bad terms with the princess, Shrek realizes he loves her, but there is someone that can help him demonstrate his love to her, the always loyal friend donkey, and so they go to stop that wedding. It all ends with that one kiss, that takes shape of his love for Shrek. So they live stay together happily after.

In mi opinion, this is the type of movie children really need to see more than once, even if the characters are fictitious, they can teach a lot more during their adventures. We can observe and understand difficult concepts about our lives and emotions with humor, but the real message remains and that is a fact. Love, friendship and loyalty are top values that are hard to comprehend being a kid, and Shrek represents this very well with a worldwide language.

By Juan Paniagua