Voices: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn

Directed By: Mike Michell

On the early flicks we’ve had the lovable Ogre challenging an evil dragon, rescuing a beautiful princess and saving his in-laws' kingdom from the wrong hands. On this fairy tale, based on the book by William Steig, we have Shrek, Fiona, and the Donkey traveling all together with the three children on a holiday where they are celebrating his youngest son’s first birthday party. Trouble erupts between Shrek and Fiona just before they could celebrate the birthday. Shrek leaves only to be smooth talked by Rumpelstiltskin. Shrek is duped into signing a pact with dealmaker, Rumpelstiltskin who gives him a chance to go back to the time he was a “real ogre” and get his roar back and all this lasting just 24 hours. Shrek signs the deal without really reading the fine print. Shrek's day of freedom may just cost him Fiona, the children, and even his very existence. He does this in exchange so that he can get much more than he bargained for. He suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted by witches, Rumpelstiltskin is king and ogres are his slaves, and finally landing in a place where Shrek meets Fiona, but realizes that she doesn’t recognize him. Similarly the Donkey also can’t remember him. Now, it's up to Shrek and his partner in crime the Donkey, to undo all he's done in the hopes of saving his friends, restoring his world and reclaiming his one True Love. Despite giving a lot of laughs, the story teaches us life’s lessons, the realities of parenthood, and lastly to appreciate what you have got, rather than wanting more. If you’ve watched the three earlier parts, this one is the best of all.

The bonus DVD is Donkey’s Christmas Shrektacular and consists of loads of extra for the kids. Skip the boring Shrek Yule Log fireplace segment.

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira