Richard Howard2> As I thought... you just didn't get Shrek!
OH MY GOD, JUST IMAGINE!!!!111one 😲
You're getting a bit worked up again, Richard Howard2. You're just throwing shots without any actual arguments. Like, what, now I didn't "get" Shrek? Has it finally sunk in that I did get it, and I just don't see any of this supposed "meaning" or "depth" you keep rambling about? We're talking about Shrek, a cartoon made because some wealthy daddy wanted something his toddlers would like from a picture book.
Richard Howard2> From simple adult jokes like "size compensation," to more complex relationships and the valuing of human traits (friendship on a slightly more sophisticated level), through the satirical and ironic comedic approach to analyzing human society embodied by the villainous prince and his city, all the way to the layers—remember the "layers" with the onions?—of the human psyche embodied by Shrek himself, and that magnificent ending where Princess Fiona resolves her curse by turning into an ugly Ogre (because within that ugly Ogre lies her true beauty).
Well, you basically listed everything yourself, so I won't even have to. I'll just comment.
"Size compensation" is just stupidity. Throwing in a "penis joke" that, on one hand, kids won't even catch, and on the other, isn't funny for adults—at least not for those with a sense of actual intelligent humor. I'm just not sure which group you fall into, Richard Howard2.
"Friendship on a slightly more sophisticated level"—How sophisticated? How much more? Reading this, it sounds like you're describing "The Deer Hunter" rather than Shrek.
I'll give you the thing about the prince and the city, but that's stuff you can find in plenty of animated movies, whether they're live-action adaptations or series. So, I don't see why that's some special selling point for Shrek.
And the ending is so predictable it's almost painful (from an adult perspective, obviously). Because that kind of ending is typical and designed specifically for kids. With a little neat little bow at the end.
Richard Howard2> ---> all of this is far deeper than what children can grasp.
Hahaha....😂 Man, you really cracked me up there. Kids can't grasp it? Please, look at the nonsense you're writing. It was made for kids, and it was made EXACTLY so that they could grasp it. Now, if you want to brag about being able to understand messages intended for ten-year-olds, that's your business.
To wrap up this debate, I don't think Shrek is bad or inappropriate for kids, it ISN'T. But it's nowhere near the quality of other animated films, whether it's Disney or DreamWorks, which also target a slightly older audience like teenagers.
Whatever, Richard Howard2. I suggest you watch "The Wonder Years." A real story about friendship, courage, and honor. Unless, of course, that's a bit too heavy for you, considering you're triggering off psychology meant for ten-year-olds. If that's the case, maybe we shouldn't even bother having a discussion about "complexity" and "meaning."