Rumplestiltskin rules the realm with petty petulance, decked out in an assortment of costumes seemingly inspired by Louis XIV. Yes, things have definitely changed in Far Far Away. (And if that causes a bell to ring in the back of your mind, just remember: Every time a bell rings, another movie rips off 'It’s a Wonderful Life.') Which means that Rumplestiltskin chooses, as Shrek’s special day, the day Shrek was born, forcing Shrek (along with the audience) to learn what life in Far Far Away would be like if Shrek had never been born. When he offers Shrek the chance to live one day 'like it used to be,' Shrek eagerly signs on the dotted line - inevitably without reading the fine print. 'Now I’m a jolly green joke.'Īnd he longs for the days - or even one day - when he could be his old ogre self, intimidating timid townsfolk and lolling in the mud.Įnter the ever-sly Rumplestiltskin (voiced by story editor Walt Dohrn ), an expert at making offers his targets can’t refuse. 'I used to be an ogre,' Shrek complains in his trademark Scottish burr. He’s sick of congratulatory crowds, domestic bliss and diaper duty. Married to Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), the happy couple are supposed to be celebrating the first birthday of their triplet tykes.Įxcept that Shrek doesn’t feel much like celebrating.

That dour ‘tude also applies to the everyday existence of the title character (voiced, as usual, by Mike Myers). What in 2001 seemed fresh and irreverent now feels tired and routine.īut even the movie’s bright spots - happily, it does have some - aren’t bright enough to lighten the prevailing been-there, seen-that mood. (That would be 2007’s charmless, not-quite-harmless 'Shrek the Third.')īut this fourth installment (in 2-D, 3-D and IMAX 3-D) confirms what we’ve all known for some time - that this franchise is long past its sell-by date. The fourth (and presumably final) chapter in the extended 'Shrek' saga isn’t the worst of the bunch. Time to go far, far away - back to the land of Far Far Away - and leave us with our fond memories.įew of which will be of 'Shrek Forever After.'

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