SHREK FOREVER AFTER brings Shrek back to his roots

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One of the best things about Shrek (2002) was its universal appeal. Kids enjoyed watching a giant ogre yell at an Eddie Murphy donkey and adults enjoyed the jabs at Disney fairytales and occasional lewd jokes. Along with early films like Ice Age and Pixar's yearly entries, Shrek helped define the tone of the many computer animated movies to come. Sadly, in each of its sequels, the Shrek series has slid further and further into mediocrity and family fun, straying from its rather unique roots. In this fourth, and claimed finale, Shrek comes full circle, embracing the movie that started it all. If Shrek The Third was this good the series would still be going strong.

The Story

It's predictable, but fun. If you've ever seen It's A Wonderful Life, you know the drill. Shrek (Mike Myers) has a family now and feels like everyday is exactly the same. He just wants to get away from it all and live alone like an ogre again, if only for a day. Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), who was minutes from owning the whole kingdom of Far Far Away before Shrek rescued Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in the first movie, makes a deal with the big green guy: he gets one day of Shrek's life in exchange for Shrek getting a day back in his old life.

It's never wise to make a contract with Rumpelstiltskin. He always cheats. He takes the day Shrek was born, thus preventing him from ever saving Fiona, making Rumpelstiltskin the defacto king of Far Far Away. No one knows who Shrek is, but he only has a day to make things right or he'll disappear forever, like Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future.

Why it Works

We know the plot, and we know how it has to end, but Director Mike Mitchell and writers Josh Klausner & Darren Lemke bring back the tone of the original movie. As movie series tend to do, Shrek and the gang have become a big happy family in the sequels. They go on adventures, but there's little tension between the group itself. The Ice Age and Land Before Time movies are great examples of this trend toward group unity.

Forever After succeeds because it pushes all of its characters out of their comfort zone. Shrek has to re-meet all of his friends and they aren't exactly happy to see him. He also has to relive many classic moments from the series. We see how far Shrek's journey has taken him, and appreciate the series for its accomplishments. Shrek, you've had a good run. Fans can look forward to Puss in Boots which will hit theaters in a year or two.