Shrek's Magic Mirror Voice One of the most memorable characters in the DreamWorks animated film "Shrek" is the Magic Mirror. The Magic Mirror plays a crucial role in the story, as it is the source of information and guidance for the main characters. It is known for its distinct voice, which adds to its mysterious and enchanting allure. The Magic Mirror is voiced by actor Christopher Lee, who brings a deep and resonant tone to the character. Lee's commanding voice perfectly encapsulates the power and wisdom associated with the magical object. Whenever the characters seek advice or ask questions, the Mirror responds with a calm and authoritative voice, providing them with the information they need.
Do some Christmas traditions have pagan origins?
There is no doubt that some of what we now refer to as Christmas traditions can be traced back, in some form, to pagan cultures and celebrations. The ringing of bells, for example, is generally thought to have had its origin in the early pagan winter celebration of ringing of bells to drive out evil spirits. In later centuries, bells were rung on Christmas Eve to welcome in the spirit of Christmas with joyful noise (Psalm 95:1). When Christians enjoy the beauty of a glorious bell choir ringing Christmas carols, we are reminded of the coming of Jesus into the world, not the driving out of evil spirits.
Similarly, there was an early pagan tradition of lighting candles to drive away the forces of cold and darkness. However, is it likely that our hearts are drawn to those early pagans rather than rejoicing in our Savior, the Light of the World (John 1:4-9) as we light candles? Of course not. Nor is it likely that when I give gifts to my loved ones at Christmas, the gifts will have less significance to either of us because some Druid somewhere in time offered a gift to his goat as part of some pagan ritual. No, we remember, as we should, the gifts given to the Christ-child by the Magi (Matthew 2:11). Jesus was the greatest gift ever given, and therefore His birth is worthy of celebration.
So obscure are the beginnings of many Christmas traditions that reference books and internet sites contradict one another on the details. Some of our most popular and beloved Christmas symbols are entirely Christian, and were never part of any pagan religion anywhere. At the same time, some Christmas traditions undoubtedly do have their origins in the pagan past. What is important is not the origins of traditions, but their significance to us today as believers in the Son of God. December 25 was not mentioned in the biblical narrative as the day Jesus was born, and, as such, we cannot be dogmatic about it one way or the other. But even if the date is completely wrong, there is still the opportunity for thousands of people who wouldn’t go to church any other time of the year to go on Christmas day and hear the gospel of Christ.
If you are fully convinced that you cannot, in good conscience, observe a particular Christmas tradition, do not observe it. If you are fully convinced that a particular tradition is too steeped in paganism to honor God in any way, by all means forsake that tradition. At the same time, if you are fully convinced that you can honor and worship God through a particular tradition, honor and worship God (Romans 14:5)! For Christians, Christmas traditions can be an important part of the celebration of the birth of our Savior, and they remind us of that momentous event that changed the world forever. More importantly, they bring to mind the miracle of new birth He created in us when He came into our hearts, saved us from our sins, and made us children of God by the shedding of His blood on the Cross (Colossians 1:20). It is this amazing truth that enables us to say with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
Christmas pagan holiday evil
Symphony by Nikolai Bogdanov-Belsky, 1910
(Spanish Version)
When I was growing up in rural Canada, Christmas was all about celebrating the birth of Christ, happy family get-togethers over Christmas meals, and Christmas concerts in our small, rural church. As kids, we would re-enact the Christmas story and I would always mess up my lines or, to my dumb-struck horror, completely forget them.
Yesterday evening, a friend of mine mentioned that more non-religious people show up to Christmas services than at any other time in the year. There they are reminded of the coming of Christ into this world and the purpose behind his coming. Christmas is the last surviving, publicly-acceptable beacon of light in a darkening world, when one can still hear on secular radio stations the occasional song containing strikingly clear messages of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is the last surviving, publicly-acceptable beacon of light in a darkening world, when one can still hear on secular radio stations the occasional song containing strikingly clear messages of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.
It should not surprise us, therefore, if the world forces of darkness are doing everything they can to snuff out this last public proclamation of Jesus Christ and why he came. Shifting the focus of Christmas from Jesus to Santa Claus and a spending frenzy of materialism has been remarkably successful. The remaining problem, however, is that many Christians still resist the corruption of Christmas by setting aside materialism, remembering and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Saviour. So the solution by those who are anti-Christ is to persuade well-intentioned Christians to join them in extinguishing this final public proclamation of Christ, by convincing them that what they have been celebrating is not the birth of Christ after all, but a pagan festival. Despite the avalanche of online articles claiming this, mutually referencing each other, an actual look into ancient sources reveals this to be a modern day urban myth.
I have four thoughts on this strange anti-Christ/Christian alliance devoted to destroying the last publicly acceptable focus on Jesus Christ.
Whenever the characters seek advice or ask questions, the Mirror responds with a calm and authoritative voice, providing them with the information they need. What makes the Magic Mirror's voice truly special is its ability to convey both intelligence and a hint of humor. Lee's delivery infuses the character with a sly wit, often teasing the characters with cryptic answers or playful remarks.
1. The birth of Christ was the most celebrated-by-God event in history
We have only two mentions (apart from the birth of Christ) of birthdays in the Bible—the Pharaoh of the exodus and the Herod’ who executed John the Baptist. The ancient Jews of the Bible obviously kept track of how old they were, and we have frequent mention of those facts. It does not mean birthdays were not celebrated; they were simply seldom mentioned in the Scriptures — but there is one, remarkable exception.
There is no other event in human history, so far as it is recorded in the Bible, that God has celebrated to such an unusual extent as the birth of Christ. The night Christ was born, a “multitude of angels” appeared in the sky near Bethlehem giving glory to God and proclaiming the birth of Christ. There was also a special star seen across the middle east, announcing to all people, including the magi, the birth of the King of Kings.[1]
There is no other event in human history, so far as it is recorded in the Bible, that God has celebrated to such an unusual extent as the birth of Christ.
From a human perspective, it would seem to me that the resurrection of Christ should be an even bigger celebration than his birth, so I pondered why there was such a unique and unprecedented celebration by God for Christ’s birth into this world, rather than for his resurrection. Then it occurred to me that from the Almighty God’s perspective, once the Saviour made his entry into this world, his plan of salvation was finally here. It was now an unstoppable event, launched that holy night when Christ was born in a stable. God’s people had waited millennia for the Saviour; now he had arrived and the greatest celebration in the history of humanity was unleashed by none other than God himself.
The takeaway: If the birth of our Saviour warranted the greatest celebration God has ever launched, then we can infer that it is also pleasing to God for his people to also celebrate it, remembering why he came and what he accomplished.
This adds an extra layer of entertainment to the film, as viewers eagerly await the next interaction between the characters and the Magic Mirror. The Magic Mirror's voice also carries a sense of ancient wisdom, reflecting its longstanding presence in the enchanted world of "Shrek." Its deep timbre evokes the image of a mystical and all-knowing being, capable of revealing hidden truths and guiding the protagonists on their journey. Moreover, the Magic Mirror's voice contributes to the overall enchanting atmosphere of the film. It enhances the sense of magic and wonder, captivating both children and adults alike. The combination of Lee's distinctive voice acting and the character's enigmatic nature creates an ethereal ambiance that immerses the audience in the fantastical world of "Shrek." In conclusion, the Magic Mirror's voice in the film "Shrek" is an integral element that adds depth and character to the story. Christopher Lee's captivating performance brings the character to life, enchanting viewers with its wisdom, wit, and mysterious allure. The distinctive voice of the Magic Mirror contributes to the overall enchanting atmosphere of the movie, playing a key role in the film's success..
Reviews for "Shrek's Magic Mirror Voice: An Analysis of its Influence on Children's Animation"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I really didn't enjoy the voice of the magic mirror in Shrek. It was way too grating and irritating to listen to throughout the entire movie. It didn't match the overall tone of the film and took away from the enjoyable experience. I found myself cringing every time the magic mirror spoke, and it definitely detracted from my overall enjoyment of the movie.
2. Mark - 3/5
While I didn't mind the voice of the magic mirror in Shrek, I can see why some people might not have liked it. It had a very distinct and exaggerated tone, which could be off-putting for some viewers. Personally, I think it added to the whimsical and fantastical nature of the film, but I can understand how it may have been too much for others. Overall, it didn't ruin my experience, but I can't deny that it was a bit unconventional.
3. Emily - 2/5
The voice of the magic mirror in Shrek was just too over the top for me. It felt forced and unnatural, and it didn't blend well with the rest of the characters' voices. I found it distracting and annoying, and it took away from the enjoyment of the movie for me. I wish they had chosen a different voice actor or toned down the intensity of the magic mirror's voice.
4. Michael - 1/5
I absolutely hated the voice of the magic mirror in Shrek. It was so grating and obnoxious that I couldn't focus on anything else whenever the character spoke. It was a poor choice and completely ruined the movie for me. I couldn't wait for the scenes with the magic mirror to be over so I could get some relief from that awful voice. It's a shame because I had heard great things about the movie, but this voice definitely made it unwatchable for me.
5. Lisa - 2/5
I found the voice of the magic mirror to be extremely irritating in Shrek. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me, and it was very distracting from the rest of the film. I understand that they were going for a quirky and whimsical tone, but it ended up being too much for my liking. I would have preferred a more subtle and pleasing voice for the magic mirror, as it would have made the movie much more enjoyable for me.