|
Instead of scaring villagers away like he used to, a reluctant Shrek now agrees to autograph pitch forks. Whats happened to this ogre's roar? Longing for the days when he felt like a "real ogre," Shrek is duped into signing a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin. Shrek suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away where ogres are hunted and Rumpelstiltskin is king.
|
Rated:
|
[ PG ]
|
|
Cinema release:
|
17 Jun 2010
|
|
Director:
|
Mike Mitchell
|
|
Running time:
|
93 mins
|
|
Stars:
|
Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas
|
|
Links:
|
IMDb
Rotten Tomatoes
|
Celebrate the green ogre's 3D send-off with videos, downloads, widgets and more. Click here.
What we say
|
Ogres and audiences get a happy ending
Let's be honest: Shrek the Third was rubbish. To their credit the folks at DreamWorks seem to realise this, and have produced a fourth (and supposedly final instalment) that's closer in spirit to the irreverent early entries of the blockbuster franchise.
For starters, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) himself is back to being thoroughly unlikeable: even though he's got a hot wife (well, hot for an ogress), three bouncing bubs and loyal friends, he's nevertheless miserable. Seeking a return to the days when he was a single ogre feared by villagers, Shrek makes a deal with the devious imp Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn).
That goes about as well as can be expected, and Shrek is tricked into entering a parallel universe where he never existed. In this other Far Far Away, Rumpelstiltskin is king, Fiona (Cameron Diaz) is a rebellious barbarian, and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is obese, which lends the film some of its funniest gags.
Yes, the plot is stolen straight from It's a Wonderful Life — but it's a fun way of reminding both Shrek and his audience of what's so great about his life. At barely an hour-and-a-half long the film zips by — several story threads could have even been drawn out further — ending with credits that pay homage to the entire series.
Shrek is showing his age, and not just because he's all grown-up with a wife and family now. Gags that once sparkled lose their lustre as they're rehashed, though the movie avoids piling on too many gratuitous pop-culture references.
But Shrek Forever After has enough romance, callbacks to past characters and plot twists, and Donkey (Eddie Murphy)/Puss banter to make you want to watch Shreks 1 and 2 all over again.
As for Shrek the Third... let's agree never to mention it ever again, and we'll all live happily forever after.
|
|
|
|
Find more info on Shrek Forever After with Bing Search
|
What you say
|
|
|
|
| |
Add a review
|

What you say
[Untitled]
   
When I watch Shrek forever after was the best movie ever from the rest i like with Shrek and Fiona that was really sweet i really enjoy it
Lina
Melbourne, VIC
21 Jul 2010
Decent
   
great visual aspects of the film and was pretty good of a film but a few minor let downs which i wont go into but overall a very decent film indeed.
IAMSAM
Perth, WA
12 Jul 2010
I LOVE YOUHH SHERK!
   
sherk forever after was preety guud i loved it but i thought the best sherk was the thrid oneee (: but besides that YOU MUST go ans see sherk its the last oneeee :( bhahahahhhahahaha :)
sophie!
Sydney, NSW
28 Jun 2010
Shrek and co feel stale today.
   
This fourth instalment tries hard to bring something fresh to the franchise, however Shrek and co just feel stale today, nine years on from their glorious introduction. Donkey has gone from causing belly laughs and sprouting quotable one-liners to being annoying and repetitive; not overly great for the character which has always been the true drawcard for the series. Though it is the big green man himself who has become the most tiresome; his constant whinging and heavy Scottish accent the source for serious boredom. Especially since this sequel has amped up the seriousness and soppiness, majority of which comes from Shrek. There are a few supporting players which snare a laugh here and there, Puss-in-Boots and Butter Pants – a manly looking child with a memorable voice – being two worth mentioning.
Fortunately the in-charge Mitchell has a solid handle on the action sequences. There are a number of set pieces – Shrek and Fiona’s climactic escape from Rumpelstiltskin’s clutches is a highlight – that are exciting and enjoyable, but they act like a double-edged sword and also serve to emphasize how dull the slower, talkative scenes really are. If only the cast and crew could inject the familiar characters and run-of-the-mill story with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm, perhaps Shrek Forever After could have been a more fitting closure.
The one (and only) thing improved upon since the first movie – the animation – is delightful to look at mind you. The picture is crystal-clear and the third dimension has been utilised properly. There are a handful of instances where the ‘coming-at-you’ gimmickry rears its ugly head, which the kiddies don’t seem to mind, however for the most part Mitchell grasps the true effectiveness of 3D quite well and adds depth to the visuals which in turn allows his onscreen universe to expand.
Dreamworks has said for a long time that this will be Shrek’s last adventure, if this is the best they can come up with for the famous ogre and his friends then let’s hope they stick to their guns.
Troy Campbell
Sydney, NSW
17 Jun 2010
|
|
|
|
MOVIEFIX Tools
Get a snapshot of this week's movies straight to your inbox. Delivered each Thursday, the newsletter includes:
- New releases
- Film festivals
- Latest reviews
- News and gossip
- Competitions
If you have not already registered with yourMovies,
sign up
now to receive our weekly newsletter.
|
|
|
|