Shrek

Shrek is a computer-animated movie. It is a fairytale, but a very unusual one as it constantly turns the genres's clichés and stereotypes upside down. For example the hero is Shrek, an ugly green ogre living in a swamp.

One fine day his swamp is invaded by a huge crowd of fairytale characters who have been exiled by the short tempered (and short) Lord Farquaad. To get his swamp back Shrek strikes a deal with the lord. He agrees to save the Lord's intended, the sleeping Princess Fiona, who is guarded by a fire-breathing dragon in castle surrounded by hot lava.

Shrek is accompanied by a talking - and very annoying - donkey, so it is hardly any wonder that the princess is disappointed when she finds out the identity of her saviour. Not quite the dashing knight on a noble steed she had expected!

Yet, Shrek is not so insensitive and repulsive as one would expect, and neither is the prinsess so perfect as she appears to be. "Do not judge a book by its cover" seems to be the moral in this refreshingly deconstructive film.