It's wondrous, it's fabulous, it's -- all but unprecedented.
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
This is not your average family cartoon. Shrek is jolly and wicked, filled with sly in-jokes and yet somehow possessing a heart.
100
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Washington PostDesson Thomson
A movie that appeals to the eye, mind, heart and funny bone; that's a pretty good quadruple for any movie.
90
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
The script, instead of being what we tolerate in order to savor the visuals, is a delight all by itself.
90
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
A movie whose story may be even more innovative than the superreal solidity of the animated characters.
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
As innocent as a Disney movie -- and a lot more entertaining.
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
While Shrek may trek into that dark territory and has some questionable values simmering beneath the surface, its characters are delightful enough and the film is just sweet-natured and visually sophiscated enough to avoid sinking into the swamp.
63
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Alternately sweet and mean, sophisticated and vulgar, witty and base, dazzling and ugly, charming and charmless.
40
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Desperately avoiding the risk of even a half-second of boredom, the movie is wall-to-window-to-door noise, babbling, and jokes.