I Watch Films: Shrek Forever After

 

Shrek Forever After

In a flashback we learn that the King and Queen of Far Far Away, driven to desperation by their daughter Fiona’s curse, were considering signing away their kingdom to Rumpelstiltskin to lift it. At that moment they are interrupted by the news that she has been rescued (see Shrek). Rumpelstiltskin is furious, swears revenge.

In the present day Shrek is annoyed at being treated as a celebrity, trying to deal with the chaos at his children’s first birthday party. Losing his temper he yells at Fiona, his wife and stalks out. He encounters Rumpelstiltskin who commiserates and eventually offers him a deal; one day from Shrek’s childhood in return for a day being a real ogre again.

Rumpelstiltskin has taken the day Shrek was born, erasing him from the world. He’s now in charge of Far Far Away. Ogres are feared and Rumpelstiltskin’s witch army hunt them down. Who’s in charge of the ogre resistance? It’s Fiona.

Shrek re-encounters his friends, having to win them over. There’s only one way to break the curse, and prevent Shrek fading from the world in a day’s time, and it’s true love’s kiss (again). Can Shrek make Fiona fall in love with him – again?

Shrek finds himself caught up in the constant work of parenthood and is resentful of it, wants to recapture his youth, his ogreness. He gets his wish, but it has a twist and so he has to go on a madcap adventure. It’s fine, it’s enjoyable enough to watch if, for example, you are doing so with a child who is entertained by it.

Watch This: Fun family-friendly ogre adventures
Don’t Watch This: Fairy tale ogre stories reaching diminishing returns