Other than the usual cartoon slapstick violence, along with diaper and outhouse comments, this fourth installment is devoid of the sexual innuendo and edgy humor that pervaded earlier movies. Yet from a family perspective, there has never been a more accessible Shrek. For some fans, this may be a disappointment. Fiona is now the head of a rebellion, and has no interest in the newcomer’s affection.Īfter a near-decade of character development, Shrek’s crusty outer layers seem to be giving way to a softer persona underneath. But if that is difficult, rekindling his relationship with his wife proves even harder. Trying to put things right, Shrek begins by attempting to convince his friends Donkey and Puss in Boots (voices of Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas) that he knew them in a past life.

Literally taking a page from It’s A Wonderful Life(one scene contains some exact lines from the classic Christmas movie), Shrek is propelled into a parallel universe where he no longer exist and ogres are treated as slaves. What Shrek doesn’t know is his signature will void the day of his birth. Sporting a new offer in hand, Rumpelstiltskin (with the help of a few eyeball martinis) manages to convince the beleaguered father to sign a contract giving him a day away from all his worries in exchange for one 'meaningless' day from his childhood. Of course, Shrek’s rescue thwarted his plan leaving the menacing magician with nothing. Years ago Rumpelstiltskin (voice of Walt Dohrn), a dealer of deception, had the King and Queen (voices of John Cleese and Julie Andrews) on the verge of signing over their kingdom to him in return for removing the spell that made their daughter Fiona (voice of Cameron Diaz) an ogre by night and a princess by day. Wishing to be left alone to enjoy life as a grumpy ogre again, Shrek opens himself up to the temptations of an unknown enemy. All these gritty little details are weighing Shrek down to the point where he finally loses it during his kid’s birthday party. It’s the same thing day after day… raising kids, putting up with tourists wanting to see your swamp, and keeping the outhouse running smoothly. In what is officially billed as the final episode of the Shrek franchise, our big green hero (voice of Mike Myers) is working through a midlife crisis.

Shrek 4