Shrek Forever After

Once upon a time there was a movie called “Shrek.” It was moderately funny for a kid’s movie although its characters were incredibly annoying. It satirized most if not all fairy tales in clever ways which made it a decent movie with a simple story with a happy, be it glib, ending. Twice upon a time there was a sequel to that movie which was not very good but not bad per se. It expanded on the fairy tale universe of the first film but ultimately didn't have a satisfying story, even more annoying characters, and was essentially more of the same. Thrice upon a time there was a third film which everyone said was so bad that I didn't bother even seeing it. Finally upon a time the producers of the films decided that to make up for the bad job they did on the third film they would make a fourth that would hopefully redeem them and finally end the story. This is that film.

So what’s happening with Shrek this time? Well apparently he's having a midlife crisis. I think pretty much anyone can relate to hating the mundanity of your everyday life, so we're off to a good start. Shrek meets Rumpelstiltskin and he agrees to send him back to his single days. Obviously there's some crafty trickery and Shrek ends up in an alternate universe. Remember in “Back to the Future 2” how Biff gets the almanac and that creates a separate 1985 in which Biff rules a dystopic Hill Valley where everything is terrible? It's pretty much just like that. Shrek must use true love to again right his wrong and save his universe.

This film is significantly less annoying than the other films, and it’s got some funny parts that seem like they'd be fun for the whole family. I'm glad I never have to see another Shrek movie, but I think the story is creative and the villain is formative and silly, so it was satisfying enough. Overall it's not the best Shrek film it's not the worst Shrek film, it’s a little better than mediocre which is consistent with the rest of the Shrek films. The 3D didn’t make me want to barf or give me a headache, so there’s that. Take the kids, make a day of it, or don’t, whatever.

I like "Shrek", I really do and considering the franchise has earned a combined total of $1 billion in the United States alone, I think it's safe to assume a lot of other people liked it as well. Unfortunately, the series has gone down hill with each new sequel being noticeably worse than the previous. There's not one entry in Dreamwork's animated franchise that doesn't serve up a series of laughs from side-splitting moments of stupidity to hilarious and often inappropriate one-liners. Truthfully, the lack of humor isn't where the films fail.

The original "Shrek" was a near perfect picture. It was one of those rare occasions where everything just fell into place, sort of a fire sail if you will, but in the most positive use of the term. We had a story-line that was vastly engrossing, each character was innovative next to the others, the dialogue was clever and the laughs were seemingly endless. It was brilliant! With each installment, however, the plots have become weaker. In "Shrek Forever After", viewers will sense the studio's desperate attempt to make one last chunk of profit before the franchise expires. It really is that obvious and when we realize that the cast and crew aren't here to have fun, make us laugh and go to sleep at night knowing they've accomplished something extraordinary, the entire film becomes unlikeable, dull and entirely pointless. Let us not forget, however, that his is still "Shrek" thus flocks of movie-goers will swoop in to see this mediocre sequel if just to say they saw it before anyone else. Nevertheless, if you're skeptical, go with your gut. Save yourself the time and money because there's a reason "Shrek Forever After" is the last of the series. The big, ugly ogre has worn out his welcome.