The Hero’s Journey

in Movies

The Hero's Journey

Follow the stages in:

•Shrek

•Finding Nemo

•The Matrix

The Call to AdventureShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

Lord Farquaad sends fairy tale creatures to Shrek's swamp, so he leaves the swamp to go to Lord Farquaad. To get his swamp back, he has to rescue the princess Fiona.

Nemo is caught by the men in the boat and Marlin has to get him back.

Neo’s computer tells him to “Follow the white rabbit.” Neo meets Trinity, who offers to help him find out what the Matrix is. Morpheus literally calls him to adventure.

Refusal of CallShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:Neo must climb out the window of his office to escape the agents, but he loses his courage and is captured.

Marlin is afraid of the sea, the boat (the kids call it the butt) and the drop off, but he has to save Nemo, so he goes.

Shrek just doesn’t want to leave his swamp!

Supernatural AidShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

Donkey: loves to talk; teaches Shrek through humor.

Dory: a "trickster" mentor; also teaches Marlin through humor. Marlin needs to learn how to not be afraid and how to let go and believe.

Morpheus: an enigmatic father-figure; mentor/guide; wants Neo to “open his mind” with the red pillThe Oracle: representative of Mother Nature; can tell the future

The First ThresholdShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix: Neo swallows the red pill and must encounter the “agents” of the Matrix

Marlin swims after the boat. He is in the open ocean, and he hasn't done this since his wife was eaten by the shark.

Farquaad orders his men to kill Shrek - the one to do so gets a chance to rescue the princess. Shrek kills them all, and Farquaad tells Shrek if he can rescue the princess he'll get the swamp back.

The Road of Trials

Shrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

Shrek’s uglinessDealing with DonkeyFighting Farquaad’s menRescuing the princess

The sharksDoryCrushSchool of FishDarla

Success in the sparring programRescuing MorpheusNeo’s deathFighting the “agents”

Belly of the Whale/Atonement

Shrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

Nemo does this when he has to get out or go with Darla; Marlin when he tells Dory to go away.

Shrek overhears Donkey and Fiona talking about the He goes to Lord Farquaad's place and tells him I have your princess. He says your Lord awaits you. Farquaad comes up on the horse.

Neo must come to grips with the realities and unrealities of the Matrix. He becomes “the One” and makes “papa Morpheus” proud

Supreme OrdealShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

Shrek thinks Fiona’s saying he’s ugly, so he leaves. Donkey says he’s a turd for leaving! Meanwhile, Fiona is about to marry Farquaad, so Shrek goes to rescue her.

Marlin returns to save Dory from the jellies. The jellyfish stings make him look dead, but he recovers and meets Crush. Marlin is able to go through the current.

Neo visits the Oracle. He meets a young boy who says, “There is no spoon.” Neo begins to understand that truth is in the mind.

The Ultimate BoonShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix: Neo’s gift is enlightenment

With the Pelican's help, Marlin gets to the dentist's office. He thinks Nemo is dead and the dentist throws the pelican out. Marlin ends up back in the sea. Nemo goes down the drain and out to the ocean. Dory finds Nemo. Marlin gets Nemo back.

When he says he loves her and kisses her, she transforms into an ogre.

The Road BackShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:

He has his princess! Now what?

Dory gets caught in the net. Nemo wants to help get her out. Marlin doesn't want to lose Nemo again, but he lets Nemo go. Using what he learned from Gil, Nemo saves Dory and all the other fish.

Neo must bring his hard-fought knowledge of the Matrix back for the benefit of his people.

ResurrectionShrek:

Finding Nemo:

The Matrix:Neo has to help his people understand, even if they don’t want to.

It looks like Nemo is dead, but he is alive. Marlin returns home with Nemo. He lets Nemo go to school. Marlin is able to live a happier life.

The two ogres go off together on the dragon. If Shrek can find true love, anyone can. Everyone celebrates at the wedding.