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“What happens AFTER ‘Happily Forever After’?” is the question faced by the gang in this fourth movie in the Shrek franchise. The ogre Shrek has married his beautiful princess ogre Fiona; but domestic life, with its endless noise, dirty diapers, and demands to “fix the outhouse” cause Shrek to long for the good old days when he was a monstrous ogre, feared by all and free as the wind.

But when Shrek makes a deal with the evil wizard Rumpelstiltskin – one which causes him to never have existed – he learns how well off he had it. But now, Shrek must convince Donkey that they are friends, and convince Fiona (now a warrior princess leading an ogre rebellion) that they are in love. But Rumplestiltskin has more than one magic spell at his command…

Shrek Forever After contains some content which may concern some parents. The movie’s first scenes of Shrek consist of a montage of toilet humor, with Shrek’s children belching, farting, pooping their pants and urinating on Shrek. In addition to kissing some sexual innuendo is present, most notably Donkey’s questions about his offspring with a dragon, and an elaborate gag which ends with a line about getting “a donkey stuffed in your waffle hole.” Most of the movie’s “violence” is standard fantasy-style action, with sword fights, swinging from ropes, ogres hurling rocks, and suchlike, although in one scene Shrek and Fiona spar with one another, punching each other directly in the face.

The opening scenes of Shrek and Fiona’s “domestic bliss” make family life look downright miserable, and Shrek’s desire to “be a monster again” clearly parallel that of men looking back fondly on their bachelor days when faced with responsibility. But the movie also clearly teaches the lesson that, while at times difficult, true love, marriage, and family are definite blessings which deserve to be cherished. Shrek himself sums up the movie’s message when he says, “I didn’t know what I had until it was gone.” 

Shrek Forever After is an enjoyable coda to the Shrek saga, with action and good messages for younger viewers and some knowing comedy for adults. The Parents Television Council does not recommend this movie for viewers under age seven.  

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