What we flagged
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Our take
Shrek is a fast, funny fairy-tale send-up with heart beneath its burps and wisecracks. The fights are cartoonish, though a dragon and a few monster moments may startle smaller children. There is toilet humour, mild language, and innuendo aimed mostly at adults. Its message about looking beyond appearances gives families something good to talk about. Most children around 6 and up should be comfortable with it.
Uplifting themes
Under all the jokes sits a warm message about being yourself and looking past appearances. Friendship and loyalty win out over vanity and cruelty Shrek slowly learns to let people in, and Donkey's loyalty never wavers. The heroes are rough around the edges but kind where it counts There are few hard facts to pick up here, but the lesson about acceptance carries real worth. It is entertainment first and foremost
Story (may spoil tone)
It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Shrek thumps armoured knights in an arena, and there is swordplay and a…
Shrek thumps armoured knights in an arena, and there is swordplay and a fire-breathing dragon. The fighting is broad and played for laughs, with little sense of real injury
Language There is a little damn and some cheeky, rude humour. The language stays…
There is a little damn and some cheeky, rude humour. The language stays mild for a family film
Sex / nudity Shrek has kissing and a sweet central romance. A few suggestive jokes a…
Shrek has kissing and a sweet central romance. A few suggestive jokes are aimed at adults and will likely pass over younger children's heads
Frightening The dragon snaps, and Shrek's reputation as a scary ogre adds a few mon…
The dragon snaps, and Shrek's reputation as a scary ogre adds a few monster scares. These moments are brief and usually turn into comedy
Bullying / discrimination Others judge Shrek by his looks and assume he is a monster. The film pu…
Others judge Shrek by his looks and assume he is a monster. The film pushes back on that idea as the characters get to know him
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- People judge Shrek as a monster before they know him. Have you ever been misjudged by how you look?
- Shrek pushes everyone away at first. What helps him finally let his friends in?
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Shrek
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