Shrek Forever After

Welcome to another episode of The "D" List.

Today's review is Shrek Forever After. Directed by Mike Mitchell. Written by Josh Klausner & Darren Lemke. Based on the book written by William Steig.

MPAA Rating : Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language.

Cast

Mike Myers - Shrek

Eddie Murphy - Donkey

Cameron Diaz - Princess Fiona

Antonio Banderas - Puss in Boots

Julie Andrews - Queen

Jon Hamm - Brogan

John Cleese - King Harold

Craig Robinson - Cookie

Walt Dohrn - Rumpelstiltskin


Shrek 2001 was a film that made history in several ways. It was one of the first CG animated films that had some life like qualities to it. The story telling was clever and witty and finally it took all of our favorite fairy tales and turned them upside down. The success of the 1st film spawned 2 more sequels. Shrek 2 was a very good follow up. Shrek The Third began the downward spiral into mediocrity. Shrek Forever After sadly showed me that the magic has finally left the franchise.


After experiencing a rather adventure-less life of routine and fatherhood. Shrek begins to fold under the pressure of normalcy. In a fit of rage and despair he reveals that he wants to go back to his old ogre life where he was feared and hunted without a care in the world. Rumpelstilskin hears this and offers Shrek the chance to return to his days of yore. The catch is he has to give back a day of his life in order for the deal to work. Shrek agrees and the contract is signed. Things appear great for Shrek at 1st. He's running around scaring people, having fun when he realizes that none of his friends know who he is and more importantly, Fiona doesn't know who Shrek is. The rest of the film follows Shrek's attempt to break the contract and get his family back.

I has a hard time deciding how I felt about this one. It didn't have the same feel as it's predecessor's. One of the issues is the fact that the original gang is not together on an adventure. It was hard to watch a Shrek film where Donkey, Puss and Fiona treat the jolly green guy as a complete stranger. One of the aspects of the Shrek universe that made the films so popular was the incorporation of pop culture into their scenes and jokes. That seemed played out here giving the scenario's a been there done that feel. They introduced some new characters in the fairy tale universe but it just doesn't have a fresh feel. You sit there thinking that they just recycled characters as opposed to introducing new ones.

The animation is once again top notch with an HD like quality. The problem here is that the stunning visuals are accompanied by a film that did not need to be made.

On the 5 star scale. Shrek Forever After gets 3 stars. With a "Go See It" recommendation.

This was a decent addition to the franchise. It certainly was better than the 3rd film. What hurts this one is the fact that there was no need for a 4th Shrek film. Having said that take the kiddies, they'll have some fun and maybe you will too. I just felt that 2 Shrek's were enough.

That's all for today. Up next is Prince of Persia. Another video game adaption. Uh Oh. Keep your fingers crossed people.

Until Next Episode....."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"