Shrek the Third

The Shrek films are widely regarded as the funniest animation trilogy around, but what are we really laughing at?

As Shrek the Third hits cinemas this month, it is sure to appeal to children, youth and adults alike. In 2001 Shrek was a refreshing parody of fairy tale-influenced Disney films. It subverted concepts commonly seen in such films by having a burping, martial artist for a princess, a truly ugly ogre as the hero and a surprise twist in its romantic ending that was all too rare for the fairy tale film genre. It also fairly mimicked the children’s book on which it was based in that it was layered with enough low brow, gross out humour to appeal to the children (in all of us).

Nonetheless, the film was fundamentally a story reminding us that we should not judge people by their appearances because it’s what’s on the inside that counts – a moral that well reflects Jesus’ warning that it is, “… what comes out of a man that makes him unclean”.

When Shrek 2 arrived in 2004, the producers focussed on creating a broader social satire with the film presenting a Meet the Parents like story, as the now married Shrek was introduced to Princess Fiona’s parents, King Harold and Queen Lillian.

Shrek the Third has continued this progress away from the junior audience to the adult world. It seems far less concerned than the previous two films about connecting with children, with the two main plot lines focussing on the trials of teenagers and the problems of parenting. The subplot of death is also dealt with – insensitively.

In a blackly comic scene King Harold dies and the response of the characters around him – and the fact that he is a bloated frog – force the audience to laugh (albeit guiltily) at the ridiculous scene.

Shrek is now next in line for the throne, but like many of his 21st century male counterparts, he feels he isn’t ready to shoulder the responsibility. So, accompanied by Donkey and Puss in Boots he sets off to find the next in line to the throne – the awkward teenager, Arthur.

To compound Shrek’s shirking he is informed by Princess Fiona that she is pregnant and the couple will soon be parents. The thought of becoming a dad petrifies Shrek and a vivid and revealing nightmare scene ensues. Shrek sees thousands of babies falling avalanche-like into his house, vomiting copiously and breaking everything they touch.

Shrek states that his major fear of being a parent is that he will not do a good job. It’s an anxiety common amongst many parents and the audience is called to sympathise and reflect on our own moments of feeling out of our depth. However, in scenes where Shrek feels overwhelmed by the consequences of having a child, we realise that it is the way it is actually the way children will alter his comfortable lifestyle that provides the greatest source of laughter. Whatever Shrek’s scripted objections are, the film presents the real problem as the inconvenience the child represents, not the increased responsibility.

Deliberately or accidentally, the filmmakers appear to have hit on a deeper truth here. It would appear many potential parents are choosing to retain comfortable lifestyles by having fewer children, resulting in falling birth rates throughout the majority of first world nations. 

So we acknowledge Shrek’s fears of responsibilities of being a parent, but we laugh nervously at the avalanche of babies that engulf him and his quiet, married existence, and reveal a little something about ourselves in the process. Our laughter at the idea of being a parent allows us to excuse ourselves from dealing with our selfishness in regards to bringing up children.

The Bible teaches that children are a great blessing (1 Samuel 2:20). It also teaches that we have a responsibility as parents to care for children and bring them up well (Ephesians 6:4). It does not allow us to laugh at parenting, thereby anesthetising ourselves from dealing with the responsibility.

Finally, Shrek the Third delivers a conclusion common in films that to succeed in any field – whether it be ruling a kingdom or ruling a househould – we only need look within ourselves. Teenage Arthur even has the opportunity to crown himself as King – an attractive prospect for any human being. By contrast, the Bible of course teaches that we find our definition, completion and lordship in Christ.

Shrek the Third is a fairly pleasing film at one level. It looks nice, has many jokes and an adequate plot that fills 90 minutes. However, at another level, it has lost the freshness of the first two films and strayed from the cutting edge that made Shrek so fresh six years ago. Also, Shrek the Third gives us a very humanist and current perspective regarding both parenting and self-actualisation that is all too common in most secular films.

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