Just when you thought Shrek’s tale was told, there is yet one more story left in Mike Myers. Only this time, screenwriters Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke take everything from Shrek just so he can see how good he’s got it. Unfortunately, they went with the It’s a Wonderful Life plotline, with mediocre results.
In Shrek Forever After, that silly man Rumpelstiltskin (voiced by Walt Dohrn), tricks Shrek into signing a contract that renders Shrek non-existent and Rump, the king of Far Far Away. Now, it’s up to Shrek (Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and fair Fiona (Cameron Diaz), with help from an ogre resistance, to stop King Rump from succeeding with his dastardly plan and put things back to normal for Shrek and the gang.
Klausner and Lemke keep with Myers’ original theme of having pop culture references and comical situations; however, they seem watered down, even a little on the tired side — but still good family fun.
The scenes in which Shrek eats a cooked rat and the ogre resistance eat slimy bugs are just plain nasty, especially in 3D. And because I had the pleasure/disgusting horror of seeing the action in all of its realness, I almost lost my lunch.
Moving on, director Mike Mitchell put together a film that is interesting and entertaining, but somewhat forgettable. This last Shrek is one of those films where you like it while it’s playing, but when the credits roll, you could care less about what you’ve just seen.
Banderas, Diaz, Myers, and Murphy have voiced their characters for all or most of the Shrek films, so it was probably nothing for them to get back into the sound booth and give it another once around the block.
Kudos to Myers for bringing in new blood, though. Jon Hamm voices Brogan, who is second in command within the ogre resistance, which is lead by the alternate universe Fiona with a hottie makeover. By the way, I liked alternate universe Fiona because she’s quite strong and isn’t in Shrek’s shadow. Also, I love that her wardrobe got a nice change.
Julie Andrews and John Cleese voice the Queen and King, respectively. Craig Robinson voices Cookie, an ogre and flamboyant cook for the resistance.
Other star power voices included in this 3D spectacle are: Jane Lynch (“Glee,”) Lake Bell (It’s Complicated), Kathy Griffin (“Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,”) Mary Kay Place (“Big Love,”) Kristen Schaal (Valentine’s Day), Meredith Vieira (“Today Show,”) Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol,”) Larry King, and Regis Philbin.
And, last but not least, the most annoying voice in the entire film is the character Ogre Baby/Village Kid, voiced by Miles Christopher Bakshi. I don’t like to dislike children, but, this one is a mixture of Chucky and Fat Bastard.
All in all, Shrek Forever After, also known as Shrek 4, wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t so great, either. It’s a nice time for the family to get out of the house and enjoy a flick, but nothing more.
KAliciaG@Aol.com
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