> Shrek Forever After
4 stars (out of 5)
Director: Mike Mitchell
Cast: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, Julie Andrews, Jon Hamm
Rating: (PG)
Although 3-D does not seem to be going away, Clash of the Titans left me unconvinced. Maybe animation would be the key to 3-D satisfaction.
When Shrek first burst upon the scene it was phenomenal but the sequels never quite shared the magic. We are promised that Shrek Forever After (Hoyts and Rialto) is the final, so they want to leave on a high.
Mostly they pull it off, though you do have to endure a long sequence of Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) playing happy families.
By the time Shrek is tricked into signing away domestic bliss for one day of ogre singledom you are starting to think he has got himself a bargain. But as this is a kiddies' movie, Shrek quickly comes to regret the deal. He ends up with just one day to find Fiona and restage love's true kiss.
The best part of this is not re-meeting Fiona, it is bumping into Donkey (Eddie Murphy) once again. I am hopelessly besotted with this character and for long stretches of this film he gets his due.
I would call this the second-best Shrek movie, so far. As for the 3-D, it did look wonderful but ultimately a bit tiresome because it did not really add to the plot. I wish that they had ditched the 3-D and hired more gag writers instead.
Best thing: It is not the 3-D hair but the fact that Murphy's Donkey is as laugh-aloud funny as at the beginning.
Worst thing: Fiona is the world's most boring female character. Even as a warrior princess in this one she sent me to sleep.
See it with: Anyone who loved the first Shrek, there is just enough here to remind you of what you loved in the first place.
- Christine Powley.
