Forever Shrek - DVD

Movie: The world's most popular ogre returns for his fourth and (supposedly) final appearance: Shrek is back! Regardless of whether this really is the grand finale, the fact is that even in its fourth go-around, some aspects of the "Shrek" movies 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" a much better film than the third installment, it doesn't hide the fact that the entire series shows clear signs of wear and tear.

Ostensibly, "Forever Shrek" is supposed to be the final installment in the series, as mentioned. 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 indeed 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!

Picture + Sound: Technically, this DVD is actually nothing to criticize. The picture is, as actually usual with current animated films, very clean and sharp and can trump with great colors. What really stands out in this 2D version is what a great job the animation artists have done in terms of lighting in the darker scenes - a detail that was mostly lost in the darker 3D version.

The sound is also convincing, with the small ambient noises being particularly pleasing here, as well as the larger sound effects, filling the tonal proceedings with dynamism.

Extras: Unfortunately, there isn't much to be found on the DVD in terms of bonus material. Aside from a short featurette on the green ogre (about 14 mins), there are three cut scenes, two of which are only in storyboard form. The first scene, however, can be seen in almost finished form, but was cut shortly before completion as it was deemed too dark by the makers. Four previews, including one for "Kung Fu Panda 2" (though there are no film clips to be seen here, just Jack Black cooking noodle soup) and for "Rango", the first animated film by "Curse of the Caribbean" director Gore Verbinski. Finally, a very entertaining audio commentary by the director, writer Walter Dohrn (Head of Story) and the two producers Gina Shay and Teresa Cheng accompanies the main film. The four of them deliver quite an interesting insight into the making of the animated fun in a good-humored way, pointing out many little details to the viewer that were probably overlooked when watching the film for the first time.

Conclusion: In the 2D home theater version, "Forever Shrek" is actually better than in the way-too-dark 3D version. The film comes nowhere near the class of the first part, but delivers a good and satisfying conclusion to the story. Technically, the DVD is on a high level, the bonus material is worth seeing, but a bit meager. Nevertheless: for fans of the ogre this disc is absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp