Shrek
2001, DreamWorks
The one, the only, Shrek. This is the brilliant "cartoon" that started the rebirth of Fractured Fairy Tales (and if you understand that reference, you're old like me). Genuinely amusing, Shrek manages to keep the little ones distracted while it tosses out enough pop culture zingers and other one-liners to entertain their parents for the full 90 minutes. Plus, it featured some eye-popping, never-before-seen CGI effects.
My quibbles, however, prevent my ratings scale from being pegged on the high end. For one thing, I'm not sure why Mike Myers was considered a good fit for the lead character; he comes off as decidedly un-ogre-like, and his accent is so bogus that it's difficult to identify—Scots, maybe? Why? And then there's Eddie Murphy as the self-described "annoying sidekick," who lives up to his job title so well that at times he annoys the audience, too. But trivial quibbles aside, this genuine hit launched a franchise I willingly followed to the end.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Shrek 2
2004, DreamWorks
Given the first film's undeniable charm and perfect formula, the inevitable sequel was not unwelcome, and it offers more of the same delightful wisecracking. Just as Eddie Murphy was really starting to get on my nerves, in marches a perfect foil: the smooth-talking Puss In Boots, brilliantly voiced by Antonio Banderas.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Shrek the Third
2007, DreamWorks
The strain of maintaining the level of quality started to show with the third installment, and Shrek was beginning to collapse under its own weight; the gags were losing their effect as the writers struggled to find new material. Despite losing steam, the franchise continued to entertain, just not as consistently. The money shot this time was likely the gag about Pinocchio's underwear...
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Shrek Forever After
2010, DreamWorks
Unfortunately it's more of the same, now becoming rather tiresome. There are a few flashes of originality, but despite Shrek's vaguely interesting existential crisis, it simply cannot maintain the momentum. Not to mention that Rumpelstiltskin looks for all the world like a knock-off of Syndrome from The Incredibles. But even at its worst, Shrek is still more entertaining than many other CGI animation efforts, which by this time are threatening to saturate the entertainment industry.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Puss In Boots
2011, DreamWorks
Shrek's most endearing cast member is arguably Puss In Boots, and the writers clearly recognized this from the moment he was introduced. Although Puss In Boots doesn't offer much in the way of story depth—one cannot escape the sense that Puss is spread a bit thin on his own—Antonio Banderas compensates with his natural wit and charm, which always manages to make its way to the screen.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
2022, DreamWorks
It is perhaps somewhat ironic that the Shrek franchise (finally) earned "Best Of" status in my book for a non-Shrek entry. Now, don't get me wrong—I thought most of the Shreks were very good. But Last Wish is gold. Pure, solid gold. Everything about it is perfect; it could not have been better.
One might be tempted to think that, given the theme of reaching your "ninth life," and given I'm sharing Puss' predicament (in a manner of speaking), I might be predisposed to regarding the film more favorably. But trust me when I say that, even under different circumstances, I'd still laud this as the finest entry in the franchise, and one of the best in its class across the board. Everyone involved with the film was at the top of their game. It takes masterful skill to imbue a serious subject with great humor: I literally laughed out loud on several occasions... and, of course, I also cried on several more.
Excellent commentary track, also.
DKS 3/10/23
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
