Shrek- Not a Typical Children's Film.
An animated fairytale containing an assortment of personified animals and a lovable ogre appears to be setting the stage for a typical children's movie. This is not the case with Dreamwork's production of Shrek. Based on a children's book by William Steig, Shrek caters more to the child at heart. Shrek, the movie's main character, is on a quest to save a Princess and regain his swamp. With his sidekick Donkey, a talkative ass, Shrek leads viewers on an adventure revealing enough adult content and sexual innuendos, set to an adult contemporary soundtrack, to make it hard to remember that it is only a PG movie. .
The quest is initiated when the evil Lord Farquaad is told that the only way he is capable of becoming a King is to marry a princess. The magic mirror presents him with his choice of fair maidens. This is done with an allusion to the Dating Game, a game show made popular with the older generations. The first contestant is Cinderella, "a mentally abused shut-in." Next is Snow White, who "although she lives with seven men, she is not easy." Finally is Princess Fiona, "a fiery redhead," who captures Farquaard's eye. Despite being familiar storybook princesses, their descriptions are anything but. .
While the lord views his would be companions, Shrek is adding an "olive" to his ogre martini after his hard day's work. The next day, when he meets with Lord Farquaad, there is a conflict as to who will save Princess Fiona from the dragon. Shrek inquires, "can't we settle this over a pint?" These drinking references are not usually referred to after a hard day's play or a dispute in the sandbox. This kind of adult humor just sets the stage for the sexual innuendos.
After shadowing Shrek back to his humble home and barging in uninvited Donkey talks of staying up all night and swapping manly stories. While this is going on Lord.