Shrek

How am I similar to Shrek? Or at least, how do I feel similar? And how has this movie started to bring me comfort at this time? We already know my two favorite comfort movies (series, actually) are Kung Fu Panda and Mulan. What do all of these have in common? (Okay but maybe that’s just every movie as well). It’s a main character who doesn’t fit in. Who has to make someone of himself/herself (probably Shrek the least so actually MAKING, he just kind-of has to adjust to work in a new world/context, for Fiona, basically he has to change).

At this difficult time in my life right now, as I just sit and wait all day for a decision, I could have just rewatched Kung Fu Panda or Mulan as I have already done so many times. But I guess I just wanted something a little different. I felt the potential of comfort from Shrek. And I haven’t watched the movies in such a long time, that I could barely remember some of the scenes and plot. Like the plot of the second movie, I had to look up, because I genuinely could not remember at all. Some of these movies I see, I don’t even know if I have watched. I’ll just have to watch and see…I guess. No pun intended.

Some of the characters I have completely forgotten about.

It’s surprising, because I would’ve never necessarily expected to feel any specific connections to this movie or to be thinking about, or to have things cause me to think about, or to view it as comfort and want to watch it.

Though as a kid, I remembered, I always thought Fiona was beautiful. And even in the ogre form. And I thought the music was beautiful too. So I looked it up and would you look at that one of my favorite music creators created it…John Powell (and someone else I don’t know, no offense. Not relevant).

Some other thing caused me to think about this movie. Christmas time made me think of the gingerbread man…which made me think of Gingy. How I loved and missed him! Must be one of my top favorite animated characters of all time. He’s so cute, and I have always loved him, his adorableness, along with his gingery (spicy) fiery little personality. His iconic lines…”do you know the muffin man?” And “not my gumdrop buttons!”

And then, I started thinking about the song “I need a hero” and how iconic it is as well. A LOT about the Shrek movies is iconic. And sure, you might be surprised about even liking this song, since I am so fiery about women independence and not oversexualization (keeping them less independent) and all that…and there is much unindependent and oversexualized about a damsel in distress. But, the song just is a banger, what can I say. Even I, will admit to that. Besides, I could even make the argument that it is still pretty independent, because in the lyrics, it is said “I’m holding out for a hero ‘till the morning light” or whatever it says. This means, that whatever damsel is in distress, sure is waiting for a rescue from a hero, but she is only waiting for so long, until she’s like “nah fuck this I will save myself.” At least don’t come for me, but that is the way I interpret it, and that is the way I want to and will interpret it. It still sounds very badass to me, honesty. Almost like it’s playing the damsel themes to its advantage, because that will work well in the media and public, but in reality, undercover, it is really about independence, and not really wanting to be no damsel saved by some dumb hulk of a man. Almost like playing a joke out of it.

Of course, there is another iconic scene of the cat (puss in boots!) such a cute little cat. The scene with his big eyes. I have used these eyes on people, and it works wonders! Without even saying anything, they know what it means. Even from the first time, next thing I know, I have a pink drink in my hands.

And obviously there’s Shrek himself. He’s smart (think about his maneuver with the dragon) and underrated. I relate to him because he feels disgusting, not loved, sad, and lonely. I feel sad and lonely in my situation. Not deserved to be loved.

Of course, Fiona brings up some great points as well. In the second movie, she does not wish for Shrek to stay human, she wants for him (and herself) to revert back to the forms in which she fell in love with him. Now isn’t that just romantic and adorable? But I think it’s a great point. They say, you will attract the right people by being yourself. And that you can only truly love someone when they’re authentically themselves. So of course, we need to stay with the people that we fell in love with, exactly as they are. Because them being who they are, is why we fell in love in the first place.

If I watch more movies and have anything to add, I will amend this post.