4th August, 2010

DAVID ADAMS

Shrek Forever After (PG/PG/PG)

In a word: Goodbye

I have to admit that it was with mixed feelings that I went to see the latest – and last – instalment of the Shrek franchise. Ever since Shrek, Fiona and Donkey first jumped onto a movie screen, Shrek has occupied a special place in our heart.

NEW ACQUAINTANCES: Shrek and Rumpel. "Shrek Forever After is witty and inventive enough to keep adults and children alike interested and we’re reintroduced to many of the characters we’ve come to love as well as some new ones, though none which grip you like the main four."

Yet, it has to be said that after the third instalment – certainly the weakest of the four – the lifespan of the franchise started to look a little strained. So it’s with some relief that the final chapter concludes the series almost as well as it began.

The story opens with Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) now plunged into the business of raising a family. But Shrek soons finds the monotony of it getting to him all and begins to look for a way out.

It just so happens that the creepy Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrm) is also looking for some change – ever since Shrek rescued Fiona from the tower, his life has not followed the path he’d hoped for. So Rumpel contrives to help Shrek out of his monotony, promising him a day without his normal responsibilities in return for a day from his childhood.

Shrek, anxious for a moment’s escape, readily agrees, only later finding that his promise to Rumpel means he’s soon plunged into a world where not only did he never rescue Fiona from the tower but one in which he may soon not even exist. As the ogre himself notes, it not until it’s gone that you realize what you had.

It’s a great premise and allows for plenty of fun – it’s no spoiler given the saturation advertising that Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas) has put on a few pounds in Shrek’s new reality while Donkey (Eddie Murphy) no longer knows him and Fiona, well, you’ll have to see it to find out what happened to her.

Shrek Forever After is witty and inventive enough to keep adults and children alike interested and we’re reintroduced to many of the characters we’ve come to love as well as some new ones, though none which grip you like the main four.

It’s only possible big failing is that while the movie’s in 3D, it doesn’t capitalize on this terribly well – it almost feels as if the decision to put it in 3D was an afterthought. But maybe that’s because with Shrek is the story and the characters that make the film, not the effects.

Still it’s a worthy and warm-hearted way to conclude what has been a breakthrough series of films. We will miss him but it was certainly time to say goodbye.

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