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Friday, May 21, 2010

MOVIE REVIEW
Shrek Forever After (3D)
Ogre The Hill And Back Again


Shrek, voiced by Mike Myers, in "Shrek Forever After" (3D), which opened today across the U.S. and Canada.   Dreamworks Animation

                                                                                                                  
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        Follow popcornreel on Twitter FOLLOW
Friday, May 21, 2010

"Shrek Forever After" swept into theaters today and it's mostly a treat of fun, comedy and frolic.  The film opened in 2D, 3D and IMAX editions today.  The 3D neither mars nor accentuates Mike Mitchell's film, though if the film is already good-looking, then why utilize 3D?  It's like putting on eyeglasses when you have already had Lasik surgery.

In this fourth Far Far Away episode -- an admirable improvement over the third thanks to the voice talents of Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas and Walt Dohrn, who voices three characters, including Rumpelstiltskin -- Shrek grows tired of fatherhood and married-hood with Fiona (Cameron Diaz).  He just wants to get away from it all, at least for a little while.  Why not enjoy a little indulgence and quiet time?  Right?  No?  No breaks in parenthood?  In his hubris and selfishness Shrek hastily signs a contract for tranquility with Rumpelstiltskin, his match made in hell.  Unsurprisingly, chaos follows.

Rumpelstiltskin has bribed Far Far Away's King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews) and numerous others.  He has an armada of witches to keep his real designs on power firmly in grasp.

"Shrek Forever After" marks the final chapter of this highly successful animated franchise, and while this new film is filled with a gaiety and buoyancy that keeps you smiling and engaged, the story by Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke sputters on occasion.  When Mr. Myers and Miss Diaz are on screen romance blooms but by now their onscreen characters' engagements lack the freshness and punch of earlier "Shrek" outings.  The film lags in some scenes, though Mr. Dohrn's vocal dexterities alone sustain more than a few otherwise unspectacular episodes.  Music however, thrives throughout in several numbers in "Shrek Forever After", and Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" sparkles.

The real treat of this fourth go-round are Donkey (Mr. Murphy) and Puss-In-Boots (Mr. Banderas).  As a tandem they are irresistible.  When each interacts with the wide-eyed title character what unfolds is bright and funny.  Mr. Murphy in particular is in vintage form, bringing smart-alecky, fast-talking adroitness to his character and to this film, whose end credits aren't half bad either.

With the voices of: Jon Hamm, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch, Lake Bell, Kathy Griffin, Mary Kay Place, Kristen Schaal, Cody Cameron, Meredith Vieira, Larry King, Ryan Seacrest, Regis Philbin, Aron Warner, Conrad Vernon.

"Shrek Forever After (3D)" is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association Of America for mild action, some rude humor and brief language.  The film's duration is one hour and 33 minutes.

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