They say it?s the last time Shrek and his pals will be gracing the big screen, so you can be sure Dreamworks have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at this fourth outing to ensure the franchise lives large in everyone?s memories. Alas, while raising a chuckle or two, overall reviews have been so-so, with the movie scoring a very average 52% on rottentomatoes.com. Perhaps they should have thrown in the kitchen sink as well.
Still, the kids are sure to get a giggle out of it. There?s a lot of the original spark from the first two movies, as Shrek (Mike Myers) has to go through the pains of re-acquainting himself with Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss (Antonio Banderas) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) after Rumpelstiltskin tricks him into a dark alternative history in which Shrek did not exist to save Fiona from the dragon and Rumpelstiltskin rules Far Far Away. A hackneyed and laboured plot device? Yes. But at least it gives the film-makers a chance to resurrect John Cleese?s character, King Harold.
