SHREK FOREVER AFTER
US, 2010, 93 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Jon Hamm, John Cleese, Craig Robinson, Walter Dorhn, Jane Lynch, Lake Bell, Mary Kaye Place.
Directed by Mike Mitchell.
After three Shrek features, it is easy to forget how unlikely a popular animation character Shrek might have been on paper and how he won over any doubters, including hardboiled critics at the Cannes film festival where the first film was in competition. But, we all liked him, and Donkey and the cartoon characters like the Gingerbread man, and Fiona the King and Queen of Far, Far Away. It helped that these characters were voiced by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Julie Andrews and John Cleese. And, then came Puss in Boots with those mesmerising, piteous eyes, with Antonio Banderas’ voice.
They are back again for this fourth episode, seemingly the last. And it may well be the last since a lot of the surprise has inevitably long gone and the films rely on affectionate familiarity. But, the plot this time is quite dark (as is the photography of a dingy Far, Far Away). It seems to be a variation on the classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. There, George Bailey, in despair, is taken by Clarence the Angel to see what his home town of Bedford Falls would have been like had he not lived. It is a squalid place.
Here we do not have an angel but rather the ambitious Rumpelstiltskin who is power-hungry and does a shady deal with the King and Queen to rescue Fiona and for them to sign away their kingdom. When he hears that Shrek and Fiona have broken the spell through their true-love kiss, he entraps the happy family ogre, Shrek, to do a deal to have one free day. This is where, for Shrek, he sees what a wonderful life he had and how far, far from wonderful is a life where Fiona does not know him and is antagonised by him, where Donkey does not know him. He has to rescue Fiona all over again – and even the kiss does not resolve the problem at first. Donkey is sceptical. Puss does his wide-eyed turn again (which did bring some hearty laughter from the audience). Pinocchio tells lies and Ginger is a petty villain. The ogres, however, are on side, but trapped by Rumpelstiltskin.
This darker sequel is reminiscent of Babe, Pig in the City, which left the happy rural countryside and audiences found it rather harder to enjoy.
The other trouble is Rumpelstiltskin himself. He looks like a very short twerp and behaves like it, with an objectionably strident voice, hardly a worthy villain for the film or an opponent for Fiona and Shrek. He is voiced by Walt Dohrn from the story department.
One of the most amusing aspects is that many popular songs from the decades are incorporated into the story as commentary on the action and characters.
Goodbye, Shrek.
1. The popularity of the three Shrek films, the characters, situations, the variation on the fairytale stories? The fairytale personalities and the characters in the kingdom of Far Far Away?
2. The final episode, the presuppositions – and the filling in the background of the rescue of Fiona?
3. The darker side of the film, darker colour, the twists and the dismal state of Far Far Away, broken down? The castle, the countryside? The contrast with Shrek’s happy life? The use of 3D for impact?
4. The use of so many popular songs, the irony, parody, romance, comment on characters and situations?
5. The opening with Shrek and Fiona, the happy family, the children, their lifestyle, Donkey running through the house, Puss-in-Boots?
6. The prologue with Rumpelstiltskin? The king and the queen and their hurrying to his house, his explanation of the deal, their concern about Fiona, ready to sign away the kingdom, the sudden interruption of the news that Fiona had been rescued? Rumpelstiltskin, his wanting control?
7. Rumpelstiltskin and his size, a twerp,, his voice, accent? The kingdom and power? His cohort of Wicked Witches of the West? The fairytale characters in Far Far Away, Pinocchio, his trying to be a boy, free from his strings, telling lies? Ginger and his being opposite of the genial Gingerbread Man? The ogres and their confronting Rumpelstiltskin?
8. Shrek and Rumpelstiltskin, the deal for a day, Shrek being tricked, alone, abandoned in the day that he was born, nobody knowing him? His encounter with Donkey, Donkey’s carry-on and not knowing him? Fiona not knowing him, the need to rescue her all over again? Her suspicions, fighting spirit, the kiss and its not working?
9. Fiona being imprisoned, the rescue, Shrek prepared to sacrifice himself, her falling in love with him, kissing him and being freed? The threats of the dragon? Shrek falling in love again and prepared to die?
10. The comedy of Donkey and his patter? Puss- in- Boots, the episode with his eyes and wanting Donkey to lick him? His putting on weight?
11. The court, the ogres and their capture, Rumpelstiltskin and his advisers, his malevolence?
12. The build-up to the confrontation, the freeing of the ogres, Shrek and his acrobatics, the fight with Rumpelstiltskin? Donkey and his love for the dragon?
13. Rumpelstiltskin in defeat? The restoration of Far Far Away?
14. The happy ending as a goodbye to Shrek?
