Took my son, Elesh, and my niece, Lydia, to see Shrek 2 this weekend past. We loved it (laughed like hyenas) and agreed that the best thing about the film was Puss-in-Boots.
When we got home I showed the kids Tony Ross’s version of the classic fairytale and their eyes went as round as saucers ... as round, in fact, as Puss’s eyes in the film. Believe me, I’ve been trying to read Elesh the story for the last five years at least, but somehow or other, it’s never happened. So, for a while there, he and Lydia thought this Puss character was a brilliant new creation. In fact, Puss is probably the Godfather of all literary cool cats. Even so, Elesh read the Ross book last night and liked it well enough, but I think he prefers Puss with a sword and a Spanish accent!
One of the reasons why I enjoy the Shrek movies so much is the references to fairytales and nursery rhymes. It’s cool seeing all these classic characters out of context and carrying on with their lives – I think it’s a good idea that the movies depict Red Riding Hood’s granny-impersonating wolf is the same one who harasses the three little pigs. I think the nightie and mob cap really suit him!
Hopefully, if our children enjoy Shrek and Shrek 2, they will be encouraged to find out more about the original wolf, Pinocchio, the three blind mice, the gingerbread man and so on. These fairytales and nursery rhymes seem to have taken a backseat what with all the competition they’re getting from lost clown fish, sci fi action figures, one-eyed green monsters etc. It looks like you don’t stand a chance in the 21st century until you get featured in a movie and have your own merchandise!
Yes, when I watched Shrek (the first movie) I got a kick out of trying to identify all the nursery rhyme/fairy-tale characters. Was hilarious to see them all together. For some reason, I'd never thought of them as a collective group before, interacting with each other and knowing each other's stories!
Posted by: irene | Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 17:13