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Shrek Facts & Worksheets

“Shrek” is an animated film released by DreamWorks Pictures in 2001. Based on the 1990 children's picture book of the same name by William Steig, “Shrek” falls into the genres of fantasy and comedy.

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“Shrek” is an animated film released by DreamWorks Pictures in 2001. Based on the 1990 children’s picture book of the same name by William Steig, “Shrek” falls into the genres of fantasy and comedy. The film follows a grumpy green ogre named Shrek living peacefully in a swamp until the scheming Lord Farquaad disrupts his solitude. Shrek teams up with the witty Donkey to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fiery dragon.

See the fact file below for more information about the Film Study, Shrek or you can download our 22-page Shrek worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

FILM RELEASE

  • “Shrek” was released on May 18, 2001.
  • The movie was produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson.
  • DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg saw the potential for the story to be adapted into an animated feature film. 
  • In the late 1990s, DreamWorks secured the rights to Steig’s book.
  • “Shrek” garnered positive reception because of its clever parodies of classic fairytale tropes and adaptations, which are mainly animated Disney films.

PLOT SUMMARY

  • “Shrek” unfolds in the whimsical kingdom of Duloc, introducing us to the grumpy yet endearing ogre named Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers).
  • Shrek’s solitary life in his beloved swamp is disrupted when the power-hungry Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) banishes fairytale creatures to Shrek’s territory.
  • To get back his home, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad: he will rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Farquaad’s chosen bride, from a tower guarded by a ferocious dragon.
  • Shrek embarks on that quest with his sidekick, the fast-talking and constantly cheerful Donkey (Eddie Murphy).
  • After rescuing Fiona, the three encounter a series of comical and challenging situations.
  • Some of those situations are encounters with Robin Hood and his Merry Men and a dramatic showdown with the dragon.
  • Along the way, Shrek and Fiona form an unlikely connection.
  • The film’s climax features a wedding ceremony in Duloc, where Shrek interrupts the proceedings to profess his true feelings for Fiona.
  • The revelation sets off a chain of events that challenges stereotypes.
  • As the sun sets, Fiona undergoes a transformation into an ogre herself, revealing her curse.
  • In the finale, Shrek and Fiona embrace their true selves, rejecting societal norms. 
  • In a moment of defiance, the dragon that was previously an antagonist arrives with Donkey, bringing chaos to Duloc. 
  • Shrek and Fiona make their union official.
  • The film concludes with a joyful celebration of acceptance.

KEY CHARACTERS AND CAST

  • The titular character, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), is an ogre who values his solitude in a swamp. 
  • Initially gruff and seemingly content with his isolated life, Shrek’s journey reveals a kinder, more complex side of him. 
  • What stands out about Shrek’s personality is his humor, resilience, and vulnerability.
  • Unlike Shrek’s grumpy exterior, Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) is energetic, optimistic, and super-loyal.
  • Donkey is a chatty donkey who becomes Shrek’s companion on his quest. 
  • In the film, Donkey serves as the comic relief with a heart of gold.
  • Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) was first presented in the film as a traditional princess in a tower waiting for someone to rescue her.
  • She then defies expectations by showing she can be a strong and independent woman.
  • She harbors a secret, which is that she is cursed.
  • During the day, she appears as a typical human princess, but at night, she transforms into an ogre.
  • The antagonist, Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow), is a power-hungry ruler seeking to become a king by marrying Princess Fiona. 
  • Farquaad is arrogant and lacks empathy. He is also obsessed with perfection and is disdainful of anything he deems unconventional.

THEMES

  • “Shrek” celebrates individuality and challenges societal expectations, proving that love goes beyond appearances.
  • The characters, particularly Shrek and Fiona, learn to embrace their authentic selves despite existing superficial norms and stereotypes in society.
  • The film also explores the theme of friendship through the unlikely bond between Shrek and Donkey. 
  • Although different, they remain loyal to each other.
  • The movie makes a satire out of classic fairy tales by adding humor and poking fun at the stereotypical elements found in traditional stories.
  • Another theme in the movie is how people can judge others by their outward appearance. 
  • But as the story goes on, the characters start to question those quick judgments and begin to see beyond what’s on the outside. 

THE MAKING OF THE FILM

  • “Shrek” was one of the first animated features to extensively use computer-generated imagery (CGI) for character animation, environments, and visual effects.
  • The character designs in “Shrek” drew inspiration from the art of caricature.
  • A caricature is a funny drawing that exaggerates the particular features of a person or thing to make it look amusing or satirical.
  • The cast, including Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, often improvised lines and added spontaneity and humor to the characters’ interactions. 
  • This contributed to the natural and engaging dialogue that became a hallmark of “Shrek.”

CULTURAL IMPACT AND AWARDS

  • “Shrek” was both a critical and commercial success and won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002.
  • The movie was a hit at the box office, earning over $484 million worldwide.
  • The success of “Shrek” had a profound impact on the animation industry. 
  • It showed that using computer-generated animation in movies could be awesome and encourage the movie industry to try different and creative ways to tell stories.
  • The success of “Shrek” led to a franchise that includes sequels, spin-offs, merchandise, and even theme park attractions.
  • The movie characters and quotes have also become widely used in internet memes and references.

Shrek Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Film Study, Shrek across 22 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Shrek. The film follows a grumpy green ogre named Shrek living peacefully in a swamp until the scheming Lord Farquaad disrupts his solitude. Shrek teams up with the witty Donkey to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fiery dragon.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Shrek Facts
  2. Character Bingo
  3. Vocabulary Comic Strip
  4. Watch and Review
  5. Plot a Board Game
  6. Shrek Crossword
  7. Unmade Sequel
  8. Recall the Quote
  9. Analy-scene
  10. Sensory Map
  11. Theme and Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Shrek released?

Shrek was released on May 18, 2001.

Who are the main characters in Shrek?

The main characters in Shrek include Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz), Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy), and Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow).

What is the plot of Shrek?

Shrek follows the story of an ogre named Shrek, who sets out on a journey to rescue Princess Fiona from the tower guarded by the villainous Lord Farquaad. Along the way, Shrek is accompanied by a talkative donkey, and the film subverts traditional fairy tale tropes with humor and heart.

Who directed Shrek?

Shrek was directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson.

What is the significance of Shrek in animation history?

Shrek is significant in animation history for its innovative approach to storytelling, humor, and animation. It marked a departure from traditional fairy tale narratives, introducing a more irreverent and satirical tone. The film’s success also played a role in popularizing computer-animated feature films and contributed to the rise of DreamWorks Animation as a major studio in the animation industry.

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Link will appear as Shrek Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 21, 2024

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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