SHREK FOREVER AFTER (English/U)Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Animation
Release Date: 20 May 2010
Distributor: DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures
Running Time: 93 minutes
Director: Mike Mitchell
Producers: Gina Shay, Teresa Cheng, andrew Adamson, Aron Warner, John H Williams
Writers: William Steig (book); John Klausner, Darren Lemke
Casts: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, Julia Andrews
Plot: In this fourth instalment of the popular ogre film franchise, Shrek (Mike Myers) has become a domesticated family man. Instead of scaring villagers away like he used to, the now-reluctant ogre agrees to autograph pitch forks. Longing for the days when he felt like a "real ogre," Shrek is tricked into signing a pact with the smooth-talking dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn). Shrek suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted, Rumplestiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) have never met. Now, it's up to Shrek to undo all of Rumpelstiltskin's mischief in the hopes of saving his friends, restoring his world and reclaiming his one true love and family.
THE VERDICT
Shrek’s fourth adventure is the last – that’s what DreamWorks has promised all these long. The fact that the franchise is aging, rotting with each new installment and getting sickening, these argument are just undeniable and something that no longer to be hidden under the table. The franchise started fresh about a decade ago – bringing in fairytale that brings a lot of fun and enjoyment. The introduction of Puss In Boots keep things going well for the second series. The third was completely trash and the new one has no differences at all, albeit it did better still. Shrek has become irrelevant and non-sounding for all the years. Probably the ending is the right move.
In fourth adventure, Shrek (Mike Myers) becomes very tired of his routine life. He is now a happily married ogre with three children and a wife, Fiona he loved the most. He however missed his old life which is filled with plenty of adventures and excitement in life, way before the time when he saved Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and all the villagers were terrified with him. Frustrated after a birthday party, he met a wicked Rumplestiltskin (Walt Dohrn) and makes a deal with him to return to the past for a day. However, the wicked Rumplestitskin has an evil plan on his own – to take over the kingdom of Far Far Away. Deal is made and things go not quite the way Shrek wanted!
Shrek Forever After is a brand that can’t go anymore wrong. Shrek is an aging franchise and so does its idea of having fun, making some alteration to the popular fairytales and its fantasy characters. The ideas brought forward this time on Shrek 4 are no longer fresh. Budding in a fairytale that promises everlasting love, mixed with some tonic of feel good lame story and spiced up with the same group of characters – the film lacks of interesting side story to go on. Watching Shrek 4 brought less laughter to me and it has become increasingly frustrating because of the constant recycle of scenes and jokes in the fourth series. Otherwise, this one has no different than the first Shrek movie!
Despite its aging recipe, there is however still some memorable moments that will tickle some laughter on you. Take an example that Puss In Boots is now a fat cat like Garfield, but still immersed with love and humor within that character. The only reason the movie may still potentially amazing was because of the feline character.
Nevertheless, here is another problem. The story-telling is rather not making any more senses and is not working well. Since it is an animation, there shouldn’t be any senses at all. Forget about the fact that Pixar and How To Train Your Dragon did good animation that features the real deal of emotions and well-placing story, Shrek 4 abandons those and rather focus on the same old adventure styles. With elements taken from the same old Shrek franchise, the energy pulsation on this movie is still there but not up to the full force it used to be. Shrek in antique, the general appeal has lost but there is still some savior act that prevent it falling as deep as the third series.
As I have said earlier, the only lovable character is none the less Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas). The character deserves a chance to stand on itself. I welcomed the planned spin-off series that deals on the character because I deeply believe that there is still life on this character. As I have said, Shrek is an antique – doing the same half-serious half-crazy, I have to give credit for the attempt of creating some emotional play although I did not buy them all.
IN SHORT
The Shrek is finally resting forever after. There is not much of sunshine left and the fourth adventure did slightly better than the previous one. Old jokes and story are recycled vigorously. Story telling is no How To Train Your Dragon – not compelling enough to be a hit on its own. Cinematography and effects work are nevertheless excellent but I doubt the improvement of quality when viewed in 3D. In general, not a good outcome for Shrek and this could be the real kiss goodbye deal. So long Shrek, I’m glad I don’t have to see you again.
THE RATING
Story - 2.5 stars
Casts - 3.5 stars
Cinematography - 3.5 stars
Effects - 3.5 stars
OVERALL - 3.0 stars
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 12.4