Film Reviews

Shrek Forever After

• Rating:
• Director: Mike Mitchell
• Starring: Cameron Diaz
• Details: USA/92mins (G).

After wowing audiences with the first two pop culture infused instalments, then disappointing with a limp third effort, Dreamworks have regained some pride with an amusing, but strangely charmless fourth and supposedly final adventure in the series. The laughs once again fall to Eddie Murphy's sidekick, Donkey, who carries the film sturdily on his back like the Ass that he is. It's fair to say that the plot limps whenever Donkey, or Antonio Bandera's Puss in Boots aren't on screen - which seems to be the norm with this franchise.
Shrek and Fiona are still entangled in matrimonial bliss, with three kids, fame, and family friends who never seem to leave the house. Although happy, Shrek sometimes yearns for the days when the swamp was his own, and he could march by the beat of his own drum and not worry about anyone else. When he meets a nasty little sort Rumpelstiltskin, he's tricked into giving up a day of his life as a baby in exchange for some peace and quiet for 24 hours. But he doesn't confirm the day, and the wily Rumpelstiltskin takes the day he was born, giving Shrek 24 hours to find Fiona and get her to fall in love with him all over again, before he disappears forever.
The fourth instalment in any franchise going to struggle to live up to its predecessors, and Shrek Forever After isn't a patch on the first two films, which will surprise few. The idea's well seems to be bone dry, as the plot here is bordering on repetitive, with Shrek's cantankerous, but loveable monster very rarely managing to make us crack so much a smile. Princess Fiona does get to kick some ass (don't worry kiddies, there's no scuffle with Donkey), but for the most part she's vacant and it's once again Shrek's movie; a character who is easily the least interesting.
There are laughs though, and while the plot is a bit too daft, it does offer us a chance to get to know Donkey and Puss all over again, in a somewhat different light. Whenever neither is on screen, the film is rarely funny; a testament to the endearing quality of both characters. The kids will no doubt find plenty here to love regardless, but if you're holding off for that expensive family trip to the cinema, I'd wait for Toy Story 3, and get Shrek Forever After on DVD instead.

Review by Mike Sheridan