'Shrek Forever After' another decline in worn-out franchise

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews

Sad to say that one of the funniest and best loved of the recent spate of animated classics is running out of steam … it’s still delivering fun and adventure but not in enough quantity to suggest it has much more to offer.

Shrek (Myers) is bored with married life and missing the good old days when he was a proper ogre and had his swamp all to himself, so he does a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to see if he can recapture the magic.

However, he he finds himself in a mixed-up Far Far Away where things are not what he desires - for one thing he hasn’t met his beloved Fiona here – and he must get back to his new life.

There are, alas, too many left-over elements from previous 'Shrek' films so while this one will please the dedicated fans others may be left hoping the title won’t mean a continued decline in a great series.

In many ways the series has lost its beguiling wonder and this outing really only sparkles when Donkey (Murphy) takes centre stage with his quips and mishaps.

Star Rating: 3/5