Shrek Forever After (2010)
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure / Animation / Comedy / Family / Fantasy
Direction: Mike Mitchell
Cast: Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen), Jon Hamm (Brogan), John Cleese (King), Craig Robinson (Cookie), Walt Dohrn (Rumpelstiltskin/Priest/Krekraw Ogre), Jane Lynch (Gretched)
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.
Download Shrek Forever After (2010)
Movie Review:
“Shrek Forever After” is the final chapter in the popular “Shrek” series. In my opinion, since the first “Shrek,” the films have gone downhill. I loved the first “Shrek.” The second and third films, however, were considerably less enjoyable and I didn’t have high hopes for “Shrek Forever After.”
Did the cast and crew of this once-beloved franchise manage to pull it together for a final farewell? Or does “Shrek Forever After” get buried in the swamp?
“Shrek Forever After” finds our favorite ogre living a family life in the land of Far Far Away. Taking care of Fiona and the children are Shrek’s top priorities these days. Gone is Shrek’s scary ogre persona; instead of scaring villagers away, he finds himself signing autograph. As family duties mount, and Shrek sees people not reacting to him as they once did, he starts longing for the days when he felt like a “true ogre.”
Seeing Shrek in this vulnerable state, Rumpelstiltsken, a conniving dealmaker, sneakily convinces Shrek to sign an agreement. That agreement lets Shrek return to a time before his adventures when he was a true ogre. In exchange, he sacrifices one day of his childhood. The catch? He unwittingly forfeits the day he was born. As such, Shrek technically never existed and therefore finds himself in an alternate-reality version of Far Far Away where everything’s twisted. It’s here that Shrek realizes his terrible mistake in signing the deal. This is where our adventure begins.
While “Shrek Forever After” isn’t nearly as good as the original, I did enjoy it more than the third film. Still, “Shrek Forever After” is like an old car running on its last breath; it shows signs of advancing age throughout. Good thing this is the last “Shrek.”
“Shrek Forever After” tries to both entertain and leave us with good memories; ultimately, however, it collapses, leaving us disappointed and underwhelmed. Adding to the frustration is the 3D. As with most recent 3D films, “Shrek Forever After’s” 3D visuals add zero enhancement to the movie. The problem lies, in part, with the film’s dark color palette. Obviously, the filmmakers used this scheme to tie in with the darker, more sinister feel of the twisted, alternate universe, but it doesn’t work well with 3D effects. As a result, there are few eye-popping, colorful scenes that dazzle. In short, “Shrek Forever After” is no “Avatar.”
Moreover, this film was clearly made for fans. Anyone who hasn’t seen any of the other films will be at a distinct disadvantage. Inside jokes pop up everywhere. Beloved, fan-favorite characters show up en masse in the desolated version of Far Far Away, too, including the Gingerbread Man, Puss in Boots, The Three Pigs and many others.
“Shrek Forever After” does have an intriguing premise. Fans get to see their favorite characters in a familiar, yet skewed reality. Reminiscent of the recent “Star Trek” reboot, there’s a certain intrigue in seeing these characters’ lives in this alternate “Shrek” universe.
Also, this film switches gears by turning itself into a more adult-oriented film. In fact, of all the “Shrek” films, this is the least child oriented. Not that kids won’t enjoy it, but clearly writers Klausner and Lemke hope to hit the audience’s more mature funny bones. Regardless, there aren’t enough laughs in “Shrek Forever After” to carry it. I laughed out loud maybe twice; neither of those laughs was of the side-splitting variety.
The jokes here feel forced and aren’t nearly as funny as those found in the previous films. Moreover, much of the humor feels tirelessly rehashed. Donkey, for example, while a great character, can only remain funny so long. Furthermore, how many times have these filmmakers used the “Pinocchio just lied and now his nose grew” gag?
Aside from the forced laughter, the narrative also gives way to shaky footing as the story falls apart near the end. With moments like the “ogre dance” scene—among others—it’s obvious there’s not much left to be mined from this series. “Shrek,” while once a great franchise, has reached its swansong.
As with the series’ previous three entries, “Shrek Forever After” boasts a great soundtrack. Using well-known songs, the music often attempts to boost the overall comic effect and frequently succeeds in that regard.
As with other “Shrek” films, the voice performances are all well done. All the characters are infused with wit and personality and are all likeable. Of course, as per usual, Donkey and Puss (Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas) steal the show, but the others do a good job as well. The additions of “Glee’s” Jane Lynch and “Mad Men’s” Jon Hamm add little to the film, but are nonetheless welcome.
In the end, “Shrek Forever After” amounts to little more than a valiant effort to return the heart-stealing ogre to glory. “Shrek Forever After” isn’t terrible; it’s not even bad; it’s just mediocre. That mediocrity is apparent in almost every frame. It’s a shame, really, we’re forced to say goodbye like this. The magic and charm that once captured our hearts is gone. Everything eventually comes to an end, though, and at least “Shrek Forever After” was better than the series’ previous entry.
Original article
Country: USA
Genre: Adventure / Animation / Comedy / Family / Fantasy
Direction: Mike Mitchell
Cast: Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen), Jon Hamm (Brogan), John Cleese (King), Craig Robinson (Cookie), Walt Dohrn (Rumpelstiltskin/Priest/Krekraw Ogre), Jane Lynch (Gretched)
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.
Download Shrek Forever After (2010)
Movie Review:
“Shrek Forever After” is the final chapter in the popular “Shrek” series. In my opinion, since the first “Shrek,” the films have gone downhill. I loved the first “Shrek.” The second and third films, however, were considerably less enjoyable and I didn’t have high hopes for “Shrek Forever After.”
Did the cast and crew of this once-beloved franchise manage to pull it together for a final farewell? Or does “Shrek Forever After” get buried in the swamp?
“Shrek Forever After” finds our favorite ogre living a family life in the land of Far Far Away. Taking care of Fiona and the children are Shrek’s top priorities these days. Gone is Shrek’s scary ogre persona; instead of scaring villagers away, he finds himself signing autograph. As family duties mount, and Shrek sees people not reacting to him as they once did, he starts longing for the days when he felt like a “true ogre.”
Seeing Shrek in this vulnerable state, Rumpelstiltsken, a conniving dealmaker, sneakily convinces Shrek to sign an agreement. That agreement lets Shrek return to a time before his adventures when he was a true ogre. In exchange, he sacrifices one day of his childhood. The catch? He unwittingly forfeits the day he was born. As such, Shrek technically never existed and therefore finds himself in an alternate-reality version of Far Far Away where everything’s twisted. It’s here that Shrek realizes his terrible mistake in signing the deal. This is where our adventure begins.
While “Shrek Forever After” isn’t nearly as good as the original, I did enjoy it more than the third film. Still, “Shrek Forever After” is like an old car running on its last breath; it shows signs of advancing age throughout. Good thing this is the last “Shrek.”
“Shrek Forever After” tries to both entertain and leave us with good memories; ultimately, however, it collapses, leaving us disappointed and underwhelmed. Adding to the frustration is the 3D. As with most recent 3D films, “Shrek Forever After’s” 3D visuals add zero enhancement to the movie. The problem lies, in part, with the film’s dark color palette. Obviously, the filmmakers used this scheme to tie in with the darker, more sinister feel of the twisted, alternate universe, but it doesn’t work well with 3D effects. As a result, there are few eye-popping, colorful scenes that dazzle. In short, “Shrek Forever After” is no “Avatar.”
Moreover, this film was clearly made for fans. Anyone who hasn’t seen any of the other films will be at a distinct disadvantage. Inside jokes pop up everywhere. Beloved, fan-favorite characters show up en masse in the desolated version of Far Far Away, too, including the Gingerbread Man, Puss in Boots, The Three Pigs and many others.
“Shrek Forever After” does have an intriguing premise. Fans get to see their favorite characters in a familiar, yet skewed reality. Reminiscent of the recent “Star Trek” reboot, there’s a certain intrigue in seeing these characters’ lives in this alternate “Shrek” universe.
Also, this film switches gears by turning itself into a more adult-oriented film. In fact, of all the “Shrek” films, this is the least child oriented. Not that kids won’t enjoy it, but clearly writers Klausner and Lemke hope to hit the audience’s more mature funny bones. Regardless, there aren’t enough laughs in “Shrek Forever After” to carry it. I laughed out loud maybe twice; neither of those laughs was of the side-splitting variety.
The jokes here feel forced and aren’t nearly as funny as those found in the previous films. Moreover, much of the humor feels tirelessly rehashed. Donkey, for example, while a great character, can only remain funny so long. Furthermore, how many times have these filmmakers used the “Pinocchio just lied and now his nose grew” gag?
Aside from the forced laughter, the narrative also gives way to shaky footing as the story falls apart near the end. With moments like the “ogre dance” scene—among others—it’s obvious there’s not much left to be mined from this series. “Shrek,” while once a great franchise, has reached its swansong.
As with the series’ previous three entries, “Shrek Forever After” boasts a great soundtrack. Using well-known songs, the music often attempts to boost the overall comic effect and frequently succeeds in that regard.
As with other “Shrek” films, the voice performances are all well done. All the characters are infused with wit and personality and are all likeable. Of course, as per usual, Donkey and Puss (Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas) steal the show, but the others do a good job as well. The additions of “Glee’s” Jane Lynch and “Mad Men’s” Jon Hamm add little to the film, but are nonetheless welcome.
In the end, “Shrek Forever After” amounts to little more than a valiant effort to return the heart-stealing ogre to glory. “Shrek Forever After” isn’t terrible; it’s not even bad; it’s just mediocre. That mediocrity is apparent in almost every frame. It’s a shame, really, we’re forced to say goodbye like this. The magic and charm that once captured our hearts is gone. Everything eventually comes to an end, though, and at least “Shrek Forever After” was better than the series’ previous entry.
Original article
