Forever Shrek (in 3-D)

The world's most popular ogre returns to cinema screens for his fourth and (supposedly) final appearance: Shrek is back, and this time even in 3-D. Whether that makes the film better than the admittedly disappointing third installment is up to debate. The fact is that even in its fourth attempt, some aspects of the "Shrek" films still work very well.

Family life certainly has its nice aspects. However, Shrek is starting to get really annoyed by the hustle and bustle. Not only are the little ones blithely pestering him, but Shrek has also lost everything that once made him a fearsome ogre. Instead of terrifying the villagers with his fearsome roar as he once did, they now ask him for his autograph. After he has finally lost it at the birthday party for his three children, the ogre allows himself to be persuaded by the devious Rumpelstiltskin to make a seductive pact, which, however, has serious consequences: in return for being allowed to be the dreaded ogre without a family again for a day, Shrek must give Rumpelstiltskin a day of his life. And all at once he finds himself in a dark version of Far Far Away, where Donkey and Fiona don't know him and where Rumpelstiltskin rules the fairy tale kingdom as king with a cruel hand. To undo this mistake, Shrek doesn't have much time, because when the sun sets, he will simply cease to exist. Unless a miracle happens.

Sure enough, "Forever Shrek" is an extremely entertaining animated film that comes up with some very nice and funny ideas. But unfortunately, much like parts 2 and 3, this fourth rehash is far from the bite-sized originality of the first "Shrek" film. The sequels have become more and more like what Part 1 was still so wonderfully wicked at: well-behaved family entertainment a la Disney. To be sure, there are still moments in the latest installment that recall the anarchically wicked humor of the first. And some of the ideas are magically inventive and wittily original. The way too fat puss in boots or the gingerbread man riding on cookie animals, who fights for survival in best "Gladiator" manner, are undoubtedly among the successful moments of animated fun.

Also the way scenes from the first part are taken up again here and twisted in a darkly funny way, the creators have succeeded very well. While this makes "Forever Shrek" the much better film than the third installment, it doesn't hide the fact that the series as a whole shows definite signs of wear and tear. The animations, which have improved from film to film, and the 3-D effect, which is used here for the first time, will nevertheless ensure that many "Shrek" fans will once again run to the cinemas. However, the 3-D effect, which is so beloved by many at the moment, turns out to be more of a drawback for the film. Because 3-D films are generally a little darker than traditional 2-D versions, some effects in the overall rather dark work do not really come into their own. This only succeeds in the 2-D version, which, since there are hardly any notable 3-D effects to marvel at anyway, would actually be preferable.

Ostensibly, "Forever Shrek" is supposed to be the final installment in the series. Puss in Boots may still get his own movie, which will almost certainly feature some other characters from the "Shrek" universe. But the popular ogre is supposed to be sent into a well-deserved retirement with this work. If this is really the case, then this film is really a nice and successful farewell performance, which at least in some moments can resume the strengths of the first part and thus closes the circle very appropriately. But since the film has once again become a huge success, not only in the USA, it should only be a matter of time before Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and the other heroes of the fairy tale kingdom embark on a new adventure. Until then, however, it's an absolute must for fans of the series. All others should in any case first look at Part 1!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp