Making Shrek Appeal To A Wider Audience Analysis

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Making Shrek Appeal to a Wider Audience The producers of the film, 'Shrek', successfully modernise a traditional fairy tale plot, by adding a subtle twist and imaginative exploration into the notion of stereotypical characters. In this essay, I will analyse how the producers of 'Shrek' have constructed the film so that it appeals to a wide audience, including the whole spectrum of generations. In particular I am going to specifically focus on the characters of Shrek and Lord …show more content…

In a 'grab your torch and pitchforks' style. The village dwellers draw a map in the dirt and decide a plan of attack. The producers at this point are able to swiftly exchange from one setting to another using the brutal villagers attitudes as guidance. By this I mean that the director has craftily cut from a villager picking up his pitchfork, to Shrek and his cutlery. The so-called 'potty humour' is implemented through Shrek's release of gas, with which he lights the fire. The fire represents Shrek's laid back and kind nature, yet also the implied danger, which lies ahead. In order for the character of Shrek to be successful, the audience are emotionally involved with him. They fall in love with his temperament and so Shrek acts up to his almost human qualities. For example, he sits on a reclining armchair in relaxation and comfort sipping a cocktail. In actual fact, the producers are able to influence the viewers to laugh at themselves through the character of Shrek, because they can relate with him.

The use of light within this scene highlights the traditional …show more content…

This then, obviously makes the audience laugh immediately. A few shots onward and we see the first insight to Lord Farquaad's evil side. As previously mentioned, the Lord does not portray the traditional 'Knight in Shining Armour' role, he has swapped this with Shrek's character to become the evil character. The Lord, has taken a loveable fairy tale creature, namely the gingerbread man, and is threatening him by use of physical violence. He laughs and taunts him whilst observing his torture. Just after the gingerbread man's legs have been broken off, the Lord says "Run, run, as fast as you can…" and plays with the helpless character's legs. Then, he tries to pull off the buttons to which the gingerbread man screams "no…not my gumdrop buttons!" after which he is discarded into the waste bin. The parody of blind date, after being reminded that he cannot have a kingdom if he isn't a king, by the magic mirror, from Snow White. Lord Farquaad, has three beautiful women to choose from and after holding a competition to capture the princess, he strikes a deal with

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