Shrek Forever After Review
by Homer Yen (homeryen88 AT gmail DOT com)May 24th, 2010
"Shrek: Forever After" - Welcome Back Everyone, But Don't Stay Too Long by Homer Yen
(c) 2010
Well, gone are the angry mobs that used to chase him with torches and pitchforks. Gone are the dangerous quests to the dragon's keep. Gone are the high-flying adventures to save Far Far Away from the clutches of an evil Fairy Godmother. Those were the days, my friend. But they had to come to an end. Now, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) has been domesticated. A loving wife (voiced by Cameron Diaz). A couple of kids. His best pal, Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy), who visits daily with his brood. The franchise has sort of devolved from swashbuckling adventure to The Flintstones.
Hey, sure, I miss my spur-of-the-moment-midnight-trips to Atlantic City during my unbridled youth. But it's that unchained energy that makes for a fun story. A fairy tale about a mid-life crisis is about as interesting to me as decaffeinated coffee. What's the point?
Thankfully, something finally good happens about 20 minutes into the film when Shrek makes an ill-advised deal with the conniving Rumpelstiltskin (voiced by Walt Dohrn). Shrek, for one day, can be the ogre of yesteryear instead of the shell of an ogre that he is today. And, this is a brilliant idea because Shrek enters an alternate reality world that allows for some great possibilities in the same way that last summer's Star Trek was able to successfully reboot itself with an alternate timeline plot device.
In this alternate reality, Rumpelstiltskin is now the tyrannical ruler of Far Far Away. Witches serve as his guards and as his fighting forces. Looking like one of those 80s troll dolls with the Don King hairstyle, Rumpelstiltskin is sort of this villainous wannabee in the vein of Syndrome from the "The Incredibles". Immature. Impetuous. He's certainly less impressive than The Fairy Godmother, or Lord Farquaad, and even Prince Charming.
I saw this film in 2d and let me offer this tidbit. I think that you should save your money and just see it in 2d. Much of the action takes place after dusk. With the inherent dimness associated with 3d presentations, this problem would likely be exasperated with all of this nighttime action.
With the imaginative mix of live-action and CGI effects, one could see how films like Avatar or Alice in Wonderland really benefited from the 3d aspect. But, here, the 3d effects rob the film of its traditionally lush and verdant texture that we've appreciated from the other Shrek films. If you really need to experience those coming-at-you moments, then I would suggest that you get in line to experience one of the better attractions that Universal Studios Orlando has to offer, which is Shrek in 4d. That fourth dimension incorporates odors and moving chairs and other effects that stroke your senses.
This film would've have been better as the third installment before Shrek and Fiona had their family. There's certainly a joy in rediscovering some of the characters that we know and love - Puss, Donkey, Fiona, and especially the Gingerbread Man. In an inspired piece of creativity, the film introduces the Pied Piper as a bounty hunter who uses his magical flute to trap his quarry by hypnotizing them into line dancing. The middle act is certainly the most fun. However, while watching the ogres invade Rumpelstiltskin's stronghold was thrilling, the I-won't-take-my-life-for-granted subtext leaves you with a schmaltzy "It's a Wonderful Life" aftertaste. Don't get me wrong...that James Stewart film is a classic. But, we need a little more action and a little less introspection here.
Grade: B-
S: 0 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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