Column: Wishing you all a very happy Shrek Day

Adam Tumino

April 22 should be a national holiday. There should be parades and everyone should have the day off from work or school.

For April 22 is Shrek Day, and this year it marked the 20th anniversary of the release of the Dreamworks classic “Shrek.”

I am a bit older than most students on campus, and was seven when “Shrek” was released. I do not remember the very first time I saw it, but it quickly became one of my favorite movies as a child.

But what makes “Shrek” great is that you can enjoy it in an entirely different way as an adult.

It has so many great jokes for adults to enjoy, so it avoids being one of those movies that you loved as a kid that you rewatch as an adult and are disappointed by.

Thinking back to my childhood, my favorite part of the movie was when Shrek fights a large group of knights in an arena in WWE-like fashion while. I liked the action and energy of the scene as a kid.

But as an adult, I have a new appreciation for quieter moments. Perhaps my favorite is when Shrek and Donkey sit outside by a campfire and talk about the stars.

Shrek also talks about how people treat him poorly without even knowing anything about him, judging him based on his appearance.

The writing in this scene is very good for a children’s movie, and part of the reason why “Shrek” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, which was the first time the award was given.

“Shrek” is also extremely funny, and its humor has not aged at all over the last two decades.

Hopefully you celebrated Shrek Day properly Thursday, but if not, take the time over the weekend to watch it.

Then write your representatives and senators and demand that April 22 be officially recognized as Shrek Day.

If we celebrate Christopher Columbus, there is absolutely no reason we cannot celebrate a giant green man with a heart of gold. 

 

Adam Tumino is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].