Shrek The Final Chapter returns to form

The fourth and final of the Shrek sequels burst on to our cinema screens in 3D last weekend. It ended the series on a real high note with a strong storyline, spectacular 3D effects and a real 'happy ever after' ending for Shrek, Fiona, their babies, Donkey, Puss and all the crew. This was a real return to form for Shrek - Shrek The Third not having had quite the same impact or humour as the first two films. Shrek The Final Chapter was perhaps not as funny as the first two films (it certainly had less witty one liners) but the storyline and characters were powerful. The newest baddie in town 'Rumpelstiltskin' voiced by Walt Dohrn was brilliant - much more believable than Lord Farquhar. The plot Now married to Fiona with three babies to look after, Shrek is quickly finding that domestic bliss is not all it's cracked up to be. Not only that but once a feared ogre, he is now a mini celebrity expected to autograph pitch forks and 'do the roar' to amuse the villagers. He longs for just one day to himself, where he can enjoy being a scary ogre once again. He signs a contract with Rumpelstiltskin to be an 'ogre for a day' and in return he must give a day of his own life. But the sneaky Rumpelstiltskin takes the day that Shrek was born. Consequentially Shrek is thrown into a parallel universe where, because he was never born, he never rescued Fiona - nor has he met Donkey, Puss or any of his fairytale friends. Instead Rumpelstiltskin is king of a very different 'Far Far Away Land', ogres are hunted and outcasts and Fiona is leading a revolution against Rumpelstiltskin. Shrek has just 24 hours in which to find Fiona, make her fall in love with him again, and seal the deal with 'true love's first kiss' in order to break the contract and restore his life to normality. The 3D effects Given that the last time I tried to watch a 3D movie, it was the 80s and I was dealing with paper glasses with red and blue plastic lenses, I was stunned by the 3D experience of the 21st century. All of the characters sprung to life on the screen - horses and carriages galloped right out into the audience, fireworks and sparks went over our heads and Rumpelstiltskin was practically sitting on the end of your nose. It truly was a magical effect. Price Granted, the cost of 3D movies in the cinema is higher than standard and if you have a large family and are buying popcorn and drinks and all the refreshments that go with a trip, it can quickly become an expensive afternoon out. It's fair to say, however, that Shrek in 3D is not just a gimmick and the effects are well worth the extra few euros as a treat for yourself and the kids. Main cast • Shrek, Mike Myers • Donkey, Eddie Murphy • Princess Fiona, Cameron Diaz • Puss in Boots, Antonio Banderas • Rumpelstiltskin, Walt Dohrn Conclusion It you've stuck with Shrek from the very beginning, it would be a shame not to see Shrek The Final Chapter in 3D in your local cinema. You'll not be disappointed and I'm sure that the 3D experience will be lost on DVD. Children love it and if you've grown up fearing Rumpelstiltskin from your fairytale days, it's definitely one to watch! Lastly, for all those parents who've occasionally wished they could just have a day to themselves, you'll really relate to this. Rating 4/5 * See what the children at Storm Cinema thought in the print edition.