If this is indeed the last, it does what all good finales do, leaves 'em begging for more!

Rating: 8/10 (7 June 2010)

Shrek (Mike Myers) and his wife-ogress, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) have settled into domestic bliss. They live in their wee cottage in the woods, with their darling, burping baby ogre triplets. Each day is pretty much the same as any other, as the happy couple feed their children, take out the soiled nappies, and deal with repairs. At supper, they break bread with their good friends, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). But, one day, at the triplets first birthday party, Shrek reaches a breaking point. Why he, Shrek, used to scare villagers with his roar and reek havoc and now he's changing diapers? So, he walks out and heads to the home of Rumplestiltskin. What the frustrated ogre wants is ONE day to be his old, fearsome self. Rumpy is happy to oblige, for he always has a contract with fine, fine print. Thus, when Shrek signs the agreement and happily goes off to scare a few towns, he doesn't realize that he has given Stilts the power to erase the day he, Shrek, was born and complete a long-ago contract he almost made with Fiona's parents to take their castle in exchange for finding their daughter a husband. Got that, everyone? So, in a very short period of time, Shrek is captured and held prisoner at the castle that is now Rumpy's, Donkey is a beast of burden for the dwarf's witchy companions and Fiona has become the fearsome leader of an underground liberation movement against the midget. Only another "true love's kiss" from Fiona will make things the way they were. Will it happen? This is a fun fourth sequel to the original and quite imaginative in animation and dialogue. The cast is wonderful, as always, with Myers, Diaz, Banderas, Julie Andrews and the rest doing fine work. Especially noteworthy is Murphy's turn, for he is just flat-out great as the fast-talking, excitable donkey. Then, too, the look of the film is gorgeous, with vibrant color and excellent animation, a true visual treat. As for the storyline, it has plenty of zest and originality and works characters from the fairy tale repertoire into its situations with ease. What child or adult, after seeing Rumplestiltskin, the Pied Piper, and Oz's witches, wouldn't clamor for the originals? That, of course, is the hidden treasure of the Shrek series, for the flicks invite viewers to get those volumes of folklore off the shelves of the library and into their hands and minds. Therefore, do make plans to see this new entry into the world of Shrek. If it is indeed the last hurrah, it does what good finales do, leaves 'em beggin for more.