Hollywood @ home

DVD reviews: 'Shrek' and 'The Animal'

By Paul Chambers
Special to CNN

(CNN) -- From the barnyard to cyberspace to the magical kingdom of Shrek, there's plenty of new discs to try in your machine this week. Most videos debut on Tuesday, but this Friday marks the release of "Shrek" by Dreamworks Home Entertainment.

Hmm ... Is it just a coincidence that arch-rival Disney is releasing "Monsters Inc." in theaters that day?

"Shrek," by the way, is the highest grossing film in the United States this year. We'll also check on two other films from earlier this year, "Swordfish" and "The Animal."

I promise no fairy tale endings.

"Shrek" (2001, Dreamworks Home Entertainment)

Releases Friday, November 2

There's absolutely no doubt this will be one of the highest grossing DVDs of the year, rivaling this month's release of "Star Wars: Episode One -- The Phantom Menace." In a year of so-so films, "Shrek" stands out as one of the more pleasurable highlights. And, the DVD enhances the experience.

When Smashmouth sings "I'm a believer" at the end of this fractured fairy tale, the audience feels like singing along. Well, now you can: A cute little extension to the movie is included on both discs. More than 150 Shrek characters show up to sing a variety of popular tunes. It's an exciting little piece of animation that kids will play over and over again. You can access this extended ending by watching the film (through the credits) or by using the special features menu. Is the animation department at Disney nervous? They should be. "Shrek's" subversive sense of humor and it's first-class animation make it an absolute joy to watch time after time.

DVD Extras: Besides the extended ending mentioned above, there's 11 hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. The interactive menu is a hoot! The characters from "Shrek" come alive to take you to your destination. The menus were created by the film's directors.

Other highlights include "Shrek's ReVoice Studio" and the character interviews with Shrek, Fiona, Lord Farquaad and Donkey.

Here's a tip: If the kids wear on your patience by repeatedly watching "Shrek," have them listen to the French or Spanish dubs. They may actually start to learn a new language, since they likely know the "Shrek" dialogue by heart.

Rating: 10

Movie review

"Swordfish" (2001, Warner Home Video)

You don't need a password to access this cyber-thriller starring John Travolta. The potentially confusing story makes a lot more sense the second time around, and you gain a greater appreciation of the opening ten minutes (a nifty little monologue about Hollywood by Travolta's character). Travolta stars as a rogue agent, who wants to steal from a government slush fund. He hires uber-hacker Hugh Jackman, offering Jackman 10 million greenbacks to come up with a computer worm that will break the bank.

This, of course, is the film where co-star Halle Berry bares her breasts. There was such a controversy at the time over how much additional compensation she received for her nude scene, that I was hoping the director, in his DVD commentary, would put the rumors to rest. No such luck.

DVD extras: There aren't many. A couple of documentaries and three alternate endings. I would like to have seen the violence in the film discussed as it relates to the terrorist attacks of September 11th. It's funny, but some of the statements made by Travolta's character sound a lot like some of the statements made by officials about "Operation Enduring Freedom." Travolta's character is going after terrorists and the people who, or countries which, harbor terrorists. It got a little spooky listening to his character in light of the tragic events that happened a few months after the film's initial release.

Rating: 6

Movie review

"The Animal" (2001, Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

Okay, I admit it. I'm a closet "Deuce Bigalow" fan. I think Rob Schneider is frequently more funny than not. And, you will get some chuckles out of his latest comedy. Schneider's character, Marvin Mange, gets into a terrible automobile accident. He needs multiple transplants to survive, so this crazy doctor who finds him improvises with animal parts. Of course, after making his recovery, Mange starts to exhibit some very unusual behavior. John C McGinley is funny as a steroid-crazed police sergeant. And, Colleen Haskell (from TV's "Survivor") is just so darned cute, you can't help but like her.

DVD Extras: The Rob Schneider commentary is funny. He really is a very talented comedian. Check out the deleted scenes and a couple of moderately interesting documentaries.

Rating: 5

Also new on VHS and DVD:

"Cats Ultimate Edition" (Universal Studios Home Video)
"Andrew Lloyd Webber's Royal Hall Celebration" (Universal Studios Home Video)
"Queen: We Will Rock You" (Pioneer Entertainment)
"Disney/Pixar 3-Pack...Toy Story, A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2" (Buena Vista Home Entertainment)
"(Cirque Du Soleil) A Baroque Odyssey" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"(Cirque Du Soleil) Saltimbanco" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"(Cirque Du Soleil) Nouvelle Experience" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"(Cirque Du Soleil) Cirque Reinvente" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"(Cirque Du Soleil) La Magie Continue" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)

"Tell Me a Story, Miffy!" (Pioneer Entertainment)
"Miffy at School" (Pioneer Entertainment)
"Rolie Polie Olie: A Jingle Jangle Holiday" (Walt Disney Home Video)
"Spot's Magical Christmas" (Walt Disney Home Video)
"The Twelve Days of Christmas Sing Along Songs" (Walt Disney Home Video)

"See No Evil, Hear No Evil" (Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment)
"Midway" (Universal Studios Home Video)
"MacArthur" (Universal Studios Home Video)