Movie Review - Shrek Forever After

Shrek Forever After - Starring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, with Julie Andrews, Jon Hamm, John Cleese, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch, and Kathy Griffin, written by Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke, Directed by Mike Mitchell.

(Spoiler Alert)

In this the 4th and (supposed) final installment of the Shrek chronicles, we find Shrek, Donkey, Fiona etc. living out their lives after Shrek has saved the day, married Fiona, had their kids and life goes on as "expected", happily ever after. Yet as time travels on Shrek finds himself wanting more and more for things to go back to the way they were when he was allowed to be an Ogre. Well wouldn't you know it Rumpelstiltskin has a way out. The only thing he would need to do is trade one day from his past to get a new day in which he can remember and exist in the "old" times. Unfortunately the day that 'stilt's takes is the day of Shrek's birth. When Shrek returns he must fight in the new reality to get his old life back.

While the comedic parts are plentiful throughout the film and the story flows well enough, the whole premise is a little bit canned. In this "It's a Wonderful Life" children's remake life lessons are learned and the value of current love from family and friends is heightened and expanded. While as a new father, I could also relate to Shrek and his wanting to return to normalcy. In the end its the moral of the story, live the life of love you have now, that wins out. Overall the film was cute and the animation good but I couldn't help but think I had seen it all before. 3.5 / 5 Remotes