Shrek.This film completely reinvents the original fairy tale story; In this film you see the prince as the bad guy instead of the good guy for once.

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Dorothy Savva

Media Coursework- Shrek

Introduction

Set in a strange, colourful land populated by fairy tale characters, Shrek is a hilarious comedy about a fearsome green ogre living in isolation in his own cosy little swamp. He is not receptive to visitors, and fends off the occasional party of torch-wielding villagers with ease. But when the power-hungry Lord Farquaad turns Shrek's swamp into a relocation camp for dozens of banished fairy-tale characters Shrek's quiet, introverted life is ruined. Joined by the talkative Donkey, Shrek makes his way to Farquaad's realm of Duloc, where the Lord makes Shrek an offer: He will rid Shrek's land of the unwanted visitors if Shrek will go on a simple quest to free Princess Fiona from her remote, dragon-guarded castle and convince her to marry Farquaad. On their quest, Shrek and Donkey run into a number of bizarre situations, and Shrek finds himself realizing that he isn't quite the fearsome monster he has always made himself out to be. He unexpectedly finds himself falling in love with Princess Fiona, and realises that they have more in common than Shrek thought, when he finds out that she is also an Ogre. Princess Fiona is waiting for “true love’s first kiss” to break the curse, and finds out that beauty is more than skin deep when she is still an ogre after she kisses Shrek.

This film completely reinvents the original fairy tale story; In this film you see the prince as the bad guy instead of the good guy for once. You also see the big green Ogre is actually the hero instead of the villain. It pokes fun at other animated movies and past fairy tales such as; you see a wooden puppet saying “I’m a real boy” from Pinocchio, you see seven dwarves from Snow White, a big Bad Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, while subtly presenting itself as a fairytale at the same time.

Part A-Characters

Shrek’s Character

Right at the beginning of the film it opens like a conventional fairy tale. With a story book, using the clichéd line “Once upon a time there was a lovely princess…” This is interrupted by a big green Ogre ripping the pages out of the fairy tale book and using them as toilet paper. This is when we first see Shrek.

The modern rap music that starts playing, gives us the impression that this is not going to be a typical, predictable fairy tale. Viewers are surprised because it is so unlike any other fairytale story that anyone has seen. In the beginning after we see Shrek tear up the fairytale book, we are stunned. It was so unexpected, that we don’t know what’s going to happen next. This keeps the viewers watching to find out. The beginning of the film suggests it is trying to challenge all the well-worn expectations of its genre-to make us see, as the ogre does, how tiresome fairy-tale creatures and conventions have become. At the same time, Shrek suggests some smart, anachronistic spins for future movies to try out.

When the fairytale creatures arrive at Shrek’s swamp, he tries to scare them away by saying “I will grind your bones to make my bread” and “I will shave your liver and make jelly from your eyes”. He tries to frighten them by saying that “Ogres are worse than Giants” to remove the crowd of enchanted nuisances from his property. People run away screaming, as they see Shrek and believe that he is going to hurt them. Shrek seems like a traditional Ogre because he is big, green and ugly and is feared by most people who cross his path. He threatens the fairytale creatures that seek refuge, which makes us feel that he is selfish and heartless.

When Donkey first meets Shrek, he is not afraid of Shrek like everyone else is; Shrek is very shocked by this at first, but Donkey doesn’t stop talking to him and Shrek tries to intimidate him by roaring at Donkey. Donkey is still not frightened by Shrek “You need some Tic-Tacs…” Donkey ridicules Shrek about his bad breath. Donkey is persistent and continues to question Shrek, much to Shrek’s bewilderment, as he has never met anyone who would go near him. Shrek tries to scare Donkey again by shouting “What am I?” he once more fails to frighten Donkey. Donkey continues to irritate Shrek. Asking incessant questions, bouncing on Shrek’s chair, gazing through his window… Shrek continues trying to scare Donkey but comes to no avail. Donkey tells Shrek that he isn’t a terrifying Ogre. This notion is then reiterated by mice running across Shrek’s table and on his shoulder. We watch as Shrek comically tries to catch them. Shrek shouts “I’m a terrifying Ogre, what do I have to do to get a little privacy?” Still under the illusion that he is terrifying to everyone he meets. The behaviour of the Donkey and the mice tells viewers that there is more to Shrek than meets the eye. When Donkey sees Shrek he doesn’t judge him by his appearance before getting to know him. The mice also do not judge him and they know that he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

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Donkey and Shrek are on their way to Duloc to confront Lord Farquaad, about the unwelcome visit from the fairytale creatures. Donkey says that Shrek should pull some “Ogre stuff” on Lord Farquaad. Donkey tells Shrek that the swamp was his in the beginning anyway and he is too soft. Donkey sees that Shrek is actually the exact opposite to what people think he is. Donkey feels that he is a bit of a pushover but has a soft heart. Shrek asks Donley if he should “decapitate an entire village… cut open their spleens...” he feels that by saying ...

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