Thanks for checking out our Shrek Forever Ater Review
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Mike Mitchell
Staring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Jon Hamm, Craig Robinson, Walt Dohrn
Released: May 21, 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he’s duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away — where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met — he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.
THE GOOD
I was a little hopeful about this but still had a bad taste in my mouth from the last Shrek film, which I wasn’t at all impressed with. I am happy to say this is a fitting “final chapter” and I say that because as much as they are saying this will be the last Shrek film, time (and money) will tell.
Mike Myers is good in this, which is saying a lot considering his track record lately. But he does bring back the same love and life to the character that he did in the first one.
There are some obvious “just do that then” moments that would resolve the whole plot really early, but they do a good job at addressing why the obvious isn’t the answer instead of just leaving them there as obvious blunders. I actually liked that.
The animation is superior to the previous films, which I would expect considering the first Shrek was nine years ago. And I saw the 3D presentation, and many of the shots were clearly made for 3D which work very well, but its just another layer of effect instead of revolutionizing the film. This won’t change your experience to see it in traditional presentation, or 3D. Fun either way.
THE BAD
The gags are not as “laugh out loud” but at least they are amusing where they are supposed to be. I didn’t outright laugh at any moment in the film, but there were some clever moments that were smile worthy or light involuntary chuckle. This is the master measuring stick that ANY comedy (animated or otherwise) is judged on here. And I just didn’t laugh.
The first 15-20 minutes while they are illustrating how Shrek is growing irritable with his hectic and busy lifestyle is overly effective. Instead of relating with how annoyed he is becoming, instead you become annoyed. That being said, after he is in Rumple’s “other” world it gets a lot more fun.
Rumpelstiltskin as the badguy in this is hardly menacing and isn’t a good villain. The whole film he is riding on a brief manipulation that Shrek has to fight to get out of. At no point is he ever considered a threat or imposing even with his army of Witches on Broomstick – which makes me doubt his role as King even though he was “rightfully” given the throne. He isn’t a fun character, and is pretty weak overall. Just always seemed off to me.
OVERALL
A good movie, and a fitting chapter to the Shrek legacy so they can go out on a good note. I am not craving to see more adventures, as the film ends with a very comfortable “Happily Ever After” that works. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first, but it ranks well above the second or third with me.
I would have rated it higher, but there wasn’t enough laugh moments for me to justify that extra point. Still quite enjoyable.
I give Shrek Forever After a 6 out of 10
