Shrek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrek |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Andrew Adamson Vicky Jenson |
| Produced by | Jeffrey Katzenberg Aron Warner John H. Williams |
| Written by |
|
| Narrated by | Mike Myers |
| Starring | Mike Myers Eddie Murphy Cameron Diaz John Lithgow Vincent Cassel Jennifer Seguin David Ogden Stiers |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Editing by | Sim Evan-Jones |
| Studio | DreamWorks Animation Pacific Data Images |
| Distributed by | DreamWorks Pictures (through Universal Pictures) |
| Release date(s) | May 18, 2001 |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Money made | $484,409,218 |
Shrek is a popular animated movie released in 2001. It is based on a fairy tale picture book called Shrek! by William Steig, published in 1990.
This film makes fun of other fairy tale movies, especially animated ones from Disney. The story follows Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), a big green ogre. His peaceful swamp is suddenly filled with many fairy tale creatures. These creatures were banished by a mean ruler named Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow).
Shrek makes a deal with Lord Farquaad. If Shrek rescues Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz), Farquaad will give him back his swamp. Farquaad wants to marry Fiona to become a king. With help from his funny friend Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy), Shrek starts his journey. Along the way, Shrek and Fiona begin to fall in love. But Fiona is hiding a big secret that will change everything.
Shrek was the first movie to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. This award category was new in 2001. The movie was released on DVD on November 2, 2001. There are also three follow-up movies: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After.
The Story of Shrek
The movie begins with Shrek, a green ogre, who loves living alone in his swamp. One day, his quiet life is disturbed. Many fairy tale creatures suddenly appear in his swamp. They were sent there by Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow). Farquaad is a short, mean ruler who wants to be king.
Shrek is very annoyed. He decides to go to Farquaad's kingdom, Duloc, to get his swamp back. On his way, he meets Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy). Donkey is a talkative and friendly animal who insists on joining Shrek.
When they meet Farquaad, he agrees to give Shrek his swamp. But only if Shrek rescues Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz). Fiona is locked in a tall castle guarded by a dragon. Farquaad plans to marry Fiona to become king.
Shrek and Donkey travel to the castle. They rescue Fiona, who is happy to be saved. However, she is surprised that her rescuer is an ogre, not a prince. Shrek makes Fiona travel back to Duloc with him and Donkey.
As they journey, Shrek and Fiona discover they have a lot in common. They start to like each other. But at night, Fiona refuses to camp with them. She hides in a nearby cave until morning. Shrek and Donkey stay awake, watching the stars. Shrek tells Donkey he plans to build a huge wall around his swamp. He believes he is better off alone because people always judge him. Donkey reminds him that he didn't judge Shrek when they first met.
The next night, Donkey finds Fiona in a windmill. He discovers that Fiona turns into an ogress every night. She tells Donkey she was cursed as a child. This is why she was locked away in the castle. She also says that only a kiss from her true love will break the spell. It will return her to her "love's true form."
Shrek is about to tell Fiona how he feels. But he overhears part of their talk. He misunderstands Fiona's sadness about being an "ugly beast." He thinks she is talking about him. Shrek is heartbroken. Fiona makes Donkey promise not to tell Shrek about her secret. She plans to tell him herself. But the next morning, Shrek brings Lord Farquaad to Fiona. Fiona and Farquaad return to Duloc. A sad Shrek goes back to his empty swamp.
Shrek soon realizes he misses Fiona very much. Donkey gets angry at Shrek for giving up. Shrek explains what he overheard. They both decide to go to Duloc quickly. They get help from Dragon, who had escaped her castle and followed Donkey.
They interrupt the wedding just before Farquaad can kiss Fiona. But the sun sets, and Fiona turns into an ogress in front of everyone. Shrek finally understands her secret. Farquaad is disgusted and orders Shrek killed and Fiona imprisoned. But Shrek whistles for Dragon. Dragon bursts in and eats Farquaad!
Shrek and Fiona tell each other they are in love. They share a kiss. Fiona is surrounded by light as her curse breaks. But she is surprised to stay an ogress. She thought she would become "beautiful." Shrek tells her that she is beautiful just as she is. The two get married in the swamp. Everyone celebrates by singing "I'm a Believer."
Characters and Voices
- Mike Myers as Shrek
- Eddie Murphy as Donkey
- Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona
- John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad
- Vincent Cassel as Monsieur Hood (a French version of Robin Hood)
- Conrad Vernon as Gingerbread Man
- Chris Miller as Geppetto and Magic Mirror
- Cody Cameron as Pinocchio and The Three Little Pigs
- Simon J. Smith as Three Blind Mice
- Christopher Knights as Three Blind Mice and Thelonius
- Aron Warner as Big Bad Wolf
- Jim Cummings as Captain of the Guards
- Kathleen Freeman as Old Woman (Donkey's former owner)
- Andrew Adamson as Duloc Mascot (a man dressed like Lord Farquaad)
- Bobby Block, Elisa Gabrielli & Eddie Murphy as Three Bears
- Jennifer Seguin as Mowgli
- David Ogden Stiers as Baloo the Sloth Bear
- David Ogden Stiers, U Aung Ko, Frank Oz, John Lithgow & Christopher Knights as Monkeys
- U Aung Ko as King Louie
- Steve Coogan as Bagheera
- Elisa Gabrielli as Additional Voices
- Frank Oz as Dragon (uncredited)
- Michael Galasso as Peter Pan
Some characters like Cinderella, Snow White, and Pied Piper do not speak and are not listed in the credits.
See also
In Spanish: Shrek para niños
