The Characters of Shrek and Lord FarquaadIn this essay, I am going to analyze the characters of Shrek and LordFarquaad. I will also explore the different presentation devices used by the creators of the Shrek film to create an unusual fairy tale. This film cost $6 million to produce. It is based on a traditional fairy tale type story but subverted. The film was produced by Dreamworks - Steven Spielberg's production company. Dreamworks makes animated films. It has a rival animation company in the form of Disney. It was Disney who was the first to release an animated film, Snow White, in the 1950s. The first computer-generated animation was also made by Disney, called Toy Story, in the 1990s. Traditional fairy tales, the princes are tall, sturdy, handsome and charming. These are the good-natured characters in the story who would normally save the princess. Ogres, giants, or any other evil beings in general would be large, ugly, horrible, evil creatures and would be the evil characters in the story. For example the story of Jack and thebeanstalk' where the evil giant chases Jack shouting "Fe Fi FoFum! I smell the blood of an Englishman!" and obviously trying to eat Jack. He's obviously a nasty character. The prince from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a fine example of a typical classic fairy tale prince. He comes to save Snow White and kisses her while she was sleeping deeply and forever to wake her up. Language is an important tool and I will write about how language can create the impression of good and evil in both characters and in the films. The movie 'Shrek' begins as if we are reading a book in the middle of a paper...unwelcoming as it should be because the characters in the storybook follow Shrekin quite willingly. Lord Farquaad's castle is also not as traditional as it would be in an orthodox fairy tale. It has a very modern image and is the scene of torture, violence and secrecy instead of being a place of splendor and grace. The use of lighting, music and sound effects helps create the atmosphere of a particular scene and helps the audience become familiar with the idea. of a subverted fairy tale. The reversal of a fairy tale is a very bold move on the part of Dreamworks that challenges the usual animation skills and traditional role of characters and plots to create a totally unique and distinctive piece of animation that will hopefully be -the, the start of other things to come. A subverted fairy tale certainly makes for original and interesting viewing!