Shrek - a review.

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Shrek Coursework

In traditional fairy tales, ogres are man-eating beasts; they are regarded as being one of the most evil and hideous creatures in fairytales. The prince is derived as a charming and handsome young man who is on a quest to rescue a beautiful Princess who has been held captive for many years in a tall tower, guarded by a fire breathing dragon, awaiting the arrival of a brave Prince.

  The makers of Shrek have decided to reverse the tradition of a stereotypical fairy tale, by creating a completely different story line while trying to incorporate some tradition into the story.

  In traditional fairytales the makers start with an elaborate book which opens up to tell the introduction of the story, gradually each page of the book turns to reveal the next page. The book starts by telling the reader the background about the fairytale "Once upon a time there lived a lovely princess". The book contains writing which is being read by a narrator along side the writing are beautifully painted illustrations.

  In Shrek the makers have incorporated this same tradition by including a leather binded book which is being read by a narrator, starting off with the words ‘Once upon a time’, and also being accompanied by gentle soothing music.

  Just as the audience think that Shrek is going to be another stereotypical fairy tale,  a large green illuminated hand reaches out and rips the page, the audience hears the flush of the toilet and we can assume that Shrek used the piece of paer to wipe his bottom. The calm music is replaced by a modern soundtrack containing the words ‘only super stars can break the mould’. These words can give the audience an insight that someone is going to emerge as a hero and break the mould. The audience can now tell that this is not a conventional fairy tale.

 

In the third scene of the story, rewards are being given for the capture of fairy tale creatures by Lord Farquaad’s demand, as his orders are being carried out it gives the impression that he is a very imposing ruler.

  Many of the traditional fairytale creatures are visible in this such as the three bears, Pinochio. Many of these fairy tale creatures use lines from there stories for example baby bear  (from the three bears) says ‘ my cage is far too small’ and starts crying.

  A talking donkey is taken for trade by his owner. As the donkey refuses to talk the lady who owns him is not given anything however when they drag her away she kicks Tinkerbell (the fairy from Peter Pan) magic fairy dust goes on to the talking donkey and he says ‘I can fly.’ The gurads who have been ordered to capture the fairytale creatureson behalf of Lord Farquaad, persue him in order to try and capture him. As Donkey continues to run through the forest he bumps into Shrek. The gurads catch up and the Commander reads a telegram written by Lords Farquaad demanding that both Donkey and Shrek give themselves up to be captured.

  The reaminaing members of the army apart from the commander are scared of Shrek and all flee back this is again stereotypical as it indicates that Ogres are nasty creatures who everyone is afraid of. Shrek utters the words ‘You and whose army ‘ the commander looks around and as no one is there to help him capture Shrek and Donkey he too runs away like the others.

  Shrek turns around and starts walking back towards his swamp. When Donkey  continues to follow him, Shrek turns around and roars at him trying to intimidate him, Donkey is not frightened and Donkey responds to Shrek by laughing at him and is not intimated. Donkey says "You need some tic-tacs" Donkey ridicules Shrek about his bad breath and generally irritates him.

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Donkey questions Shrek about what he is; Shrek shouts "What am I?" Shrek emplys that he is a monster but it doesn't scare Donkey. Shrek tries desperately hard trying to get rid of Donkey but Donkey refuses to listen to or understand any of the comments that Shrek makes.

  At one point during  their meeting Shrek asks Donkey ‘ To go and celebrate his freed om with some of his friends’. Donkey replies by saying he has no friends and that he would like to be friends with Shrek. This comment rely suprises Shrek as he has no ...

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