Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • June 2, 2010 Shrek copes with midlife crisis in latest movie by Dennis Seuling Sequels fall into three categories: disappointing; surprisingly fresh; and ho-hum, why did they bother? “Shrek Forever After” falls into the second category. This is a clever movie that not only brings back familiar animated characters, but takes them into a new phase of their lives. Shrek (voice of Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are now not only big green ogres but also the parents of three kids. They face the usual parental responsibilities and obligations. Shrek misses the good old days when he instilled fear in the hearts of all who crossed his path. These days, his home has become a regular stop for tourist buses, he has become more the Jolly Green Giant than a fearsome ogre, and he can’t even take a mud bath in privacy. He wonders what life would be like if fate had dealt him a different hand. Much like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Shrek gets the chance to turn back the clock and see what the land of Far, Far Away would be if he hadn’t been on hand to rescue Fiona from the dragon’s lair. Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) makes Shrek an appetizing offer: to enjoy one day as a frightening ogre in exchange for one day from his past. Unbeknownst to Shrek, the day the devious Rumpelstiltskin will take away is the day Shrek was born. In this alternate world, Rumpelstiltskin is the tyrannical dictator of Far, Far Away. Fiona, Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) don’t recognize him. To restore the kingdom to the way it was, Shrek must kiss his true love before dawn. Unfortunately, Fiona, who has become leader of a resistance movement against the dictatorship, is in no mood for romance. The alternate world is not without humor, and Donkey once again delivers the film’s funniest lines. Puss is literally a fat, pampered cat and can no longer fit into his trademark boots. Other ogres reveal an ability Shrek never knew he possessed. Well-known songs pop up to amusingly underscore scenes. There are also humorous references to Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, the Gingerbread Shrek (voice of Mike Myers) makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin (voice of Walt Dohrn) that has unexpected consequences in ‘Shrek Forever After.’ Man, and Rumpelstiltskin’s private air force is a collection of Wicked Witch of the West carbon copies from “The Wizard of Oz.” The visuals in “Shrek Forever After” are lush and beautifully rendered. Director Mike Mitchell simulates elaborate camera angles that would be virtually impossible in a live-action film. An early scene, for example, shows a coach drawn by a team of horses in long shot. The coach approaches as the camera passes over the horses, peers into the carriage, and settles on its two occupants. Another sequence involves a large decorative chandelier -- a favorite of Rumpelstiltskin -- that swings hither and yon as witches fly around, objects shatter, and assorted characters go hurtling. There is such a glut of animated movies in theaters these days that it’s tough to ferret out the good ones from the mediocre. “Shrek Forever After” doesn’t achieve the artistic highs of the first Shrek movie. Still, with lots of action, several laughs, and special effects that serve the story rather than hijack it, it is far superior to the tired and lame third installment. I’m impressed that DreamWorks spent time putting together a solid script for this. Writers Josh Klausner and Darren Lemke have taken the franchise in a new direction while keeping the story moving along briskly. Rated PG, “Shrek Forever After” balances sentiment, comedy, and action in a fast-paced 90 minutes. 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