Shrek (voice by Mike Myers) should be living life happily ever after (it has been three movies already, get on with it!), but something just isn't working for the lovable, tubby ogre. While he has three great kids, Fiona (Cameron Diaz) is the best wife a dude could want and the entire world loves him (maybe a bit too much), Shrek isn't happy (is it male menopause?). Domesticated bliss has our hero down in the dumps, feeling emasculated and wishing he could have life the way it used to be in his muddy, isolated swamp. Now, he might get his chance.
The evil wheeler dealer Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) offers Shrek a chance to be a carefree bachelor again for one day, but, of course, there is a catch. He must give up another day from his past. With the goofy green guy sold on the prospect , Rumpelstiltskin is ready to spring his trap to take over Far Far Away, as Shrek learns what life would be like if he never existed.
Can Shrek handle this new world?
Will he figure out Rumpelstiltskin's ploy and save Far Far Away before it is too late?
Yes, It's a Wonderful Life, but does an ogre get his roar every time a bell rings.
After three movies, the Shrek universe was feeling tired, worn out and artistically exhausted, but this forth movie gives everyone a reprieve and new horizons to explore. It's like steroids for the creative juices.
Writers Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke walk a fine line between creating an alternate universe, while keeping the characters familiar enough to be believable and embraced by an audience that expects them to have certain personalities.
It's a fun (and funny) exercise to see what Fiona would do if she wasn't rescued by Shrek, how donkey (Eddie Murphy) would get along without his best buddy and the path Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) would take if he didn't show up in their lives (and Banderas is so much fun to listen to as the pugilistic pussy cat).
Even better, the two writer, along with director Mike Mitchell, turn Far Far Away into the most entertaining den of iniquity and depravity any family friendly film can handle as they produce a script that has lots of inside jokes, references to the first three movies, and our favorite supporting players making cameo appearances as well.
While we are familiar with the famous voices, it's the anonymous newcomers who stand out most. Dorhn is fabulous as the tiny, shrill, maniacal Rumpelstiltskin. He finds the right balance between silliness and villainy, which is enhanced by the brilliant animation work that gives him amazing facial expressions, wild hair and the most intense eyes and facial expressions of any villain this side of Heath Ledger's Joker. Meanwhile, Mitchell makes the fat kid, Butter Pants, who demands Shrek, "Do the roar!" into the most memorable character, even though he only has one major scene, and two lines.
Sadly, Mitchell and the gang go for the inevitable and sappy ending, and the 3-D didn't have much impact on me (is the fad already on the wane?).
DreamWorks Animation and Paramount ought to be happy they found a way to go out on top with a good movie. Please don't follow through with the idea of doing a 5th Shrek movie. They're starting to enter Friday the 13th territory with all of these sequels.
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Shrek Forever After is rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language
Can Shrek handle this new world?
Will he figure out Rumpelstiltskin's ploy and save Far Far Away before it is too late?
Yes, It's a Wonderful Life, but does an ogre get his roar every time a bell rings.
After three movies, the Shrek universe was feeling tired, worn out and artistically exhausted, but this forth movie gives everyone a reprieve and new horizons to explore. It's like steroids for the creative juices.
Writers Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke walk a fine line between creating an alternate universe, while keeping the characters familiar enough to be believable and embraced by an audience that expects them to have certain personalities.
It's a fun (and funny) exercise to see what Fiona would do if she wasn't rescued by Shrek, how donkey (Eddie Murphy) would get along without his best buddy and the path Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) would take if he didn't show up in their lives (and Banderas is so much fun to listen to as the pugilistic pussy cat).
Even better, the two writer, along with director Mike Mitchell, turn Far Far Away into the most entertaining den of iniquity and depravity any family friendly film can handle as they produce a script that has lots of inside jokes, references to the first three movies, and our favorite supporting players making cameo appearances as well.
While we are familiar with the famous voices, it's the anonymous newcomers who stand out most. Dorhn is fabulous as the tiny, shrill, maniacal Rumpelstiltskin. He finds the right balance between silliness and villainy, which is enhanced by the brilliant animation work that gives him amazing facial expressions, wild hair and the most intense eyes and facial expressions of any villain this side of Heath Ledger's Joker. Meanwhile, Mitchell makes the fat kid, Butter Pants, who demands Shrek, "Do the roar!" into the most memorable character, even though he only has one major scene, and two lines.
Sadly, Mitchell and the gang go for the inevitable and sappy ending, and the 3-D didn't have much impact on me (is the fad already on the wane?).
DreamWorks Animation and Paramount ought to be happy they found a way to go out on top with a good movie. Please don't follow through with the idea of doing a 5th Shrek movie. They're starting to enter Friday the 13th territory with all of these sequels.
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Shrek Forever After is rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language
I love Shrek to bits, It's got so much magic in it, and just a cool film and so funny.
Definitely agree with blogger. At last somebody has the cojonies to say it like it is.
Couldn't have arrived at a better time. Awesome post.