DVD Reviews

Shrek: The Whole Story - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Dec 9, 2010, 1:25 GMT

For the first time ever, you can finally own "The Whole Story" on DVD. It\'s the ultimate holiday gift! Remastered for the most brilliant viewing experience, "Shrek: The Whole Story" is a must-own collection. Relive every moment of Shrek\'s incredible journey from the hilarious Academy Award(R)-winning beginning to the magical and heartwarming Final Chapter. All four discs feature hours of all-new extras and the brand new, limited-edition "Donkey\'s Christmas Shrektakular". ...more

“The End” has come to everyone’s favorite green, grouchy ogre. Not that he doesn’t go out with a bang (and I never count anyone out in the land of Hollywood) and Dreamworks has put together a Blu-ray set with all of his adventures.

Shrek (2001): Shrek (Mike Myers) is a grumpy ogre living alone in a swamp. That suits him fine as he likes the quiet. That is until Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) outlaws fairytale creatures and sends them to live in that same swamp. Shrek is unwillingly befriended by a magical talking Donkey (Eddie Murphy).

Shrek treks to Farquaad with Donkey to find out how to get his swamp to the quiet place he loved. Farquaad sees a golden opportunity in the two suckers. He needs to marry Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) to become king but she’s in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon and he can send Shrek and Donkey to retrieve her and keep himself out of harm’s way. However, the princess has a secret of her own.

Shrek 2 (2004): Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) rides to the castle to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz) but discovers that the deed has been done by Shrek. To make matter even dire for the conceited Prince, they’ve married. The newlyweds are called to Far Far Away by Fiona’s parents King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and Donkey tags along for the ride.

However, Charming and his mother, the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), have plans to wreck Shrek and Fiona’s marriage so that Charming can ascend to the throne instead of the surly ogre. Shrek and Donkey also meet Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas).

Shrek the Third (2007): Shrek and Fiona are temporarily ruling over Far Far Away because King Harold is ailing. When the King dies there’s a new king to be crowned – Shrek! Not that he wants the title; he still wants to go back to his swamp. So Shrek, Puss, and Donkey sets out to find Artie (Justin Timberlake), Fiona’s cousin, so he can ascend to the throne instead.

Shrek Forever After (2010): Shrek has never really adjusted to his family life with Fiona and the kids. He longs for the days when he could be a “real” ogre. Well, a trickster named Rumplestiltskin (Walt Dorhn), who was trying to wheel and deal the royal family out of Far Far Away when Shrek rescued Fiona, sees an opportunity to rule Far Far Away again.

He offers Shrek the “good old days” for just one day from his childhood. Shrek finds himself in a world more to his choosing till he learns that Rumplestiltskin rules Far Far Away for the worse and maybe he was wrong to do a deal with the mischief maker and that he had a wonderful life to begin with.

The adventures of a grouchy ogre have been a boon for DreamWorks. The first film was a surprise hit, the second was even better and a bigger hit, the third hit a snag but still had its moments, but the final film rose back to the occasion and the series went out with a bang.

The world of Shrek may have come to an end, the final film as billed as the end of the franchise, but a Puss in Boots film is in the works. I can’t imagine that maybe someday that the un-jolly green giant may show back up on the big screen again. What we do have is a great series that should delight all ages.

The Shrek films are presented in 1080p high definition transfers (1.85:1 for 1-3 with the last in 2.35:1). Special features are in high definition unless noted. All of the films feature Animator’s Corner, a picture-in-picture track that delves into making each film. Each one also gets “Shrek’s Interactive Journey” that is a map with the artwork that inspired the locations for each film.

The “DreamWorks’ Animation Jukebox” with songs from many of their films also show up on all the discs, as well as previews for other DreamWorks films. Shrek has a commentary track with directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and producer Aaron Warner. The 11 minute “Spotlight on Donkey” looks at the development of the character through all the films.

The “Shrek Rattle and Roll” section has two music videos (both in standard definition), the 3 minute “Best Years of our Lives” by Baha Men and the 3 minute “I’m a Believer” by Smash Mouth, the 3 minute “Shrek Karaoke Dance Party,” and the 4 minute “What’s up Duloc?” from the Broadway musical of Shrek. There are also 8 minutes of deleted scenes (standard definition).

Shrek 2 has two commentary tracks: the first with directors Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon and the second with producer Warner and editor Michael Andrews. The 10 minute “Spotlight on Puss in Boots” shows the character’s progression through the series. The 6 minute “Far Far Away Idol” transports the popular show into the fairytale land with the judges auditioning characters from the film, with the viewer selecting the winner.

The musical tab features two music videos (standard definition), the 3 minute “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows and the 2 minute “These Boots are made for Walking by Puss in Boots, and the 5 minute “I know it’s Today” from the Broadway musical.

Shrek the Third starts with the 10 minute “Spotlight on Fiona,” the 4 minute “How to be Green” with tips on how to be environmentally friendly, an interactive yearbook, 25 minutes of deleted scenes (standard definition), the musical tab has the 35 second “Donkey Dance” and the 4 minute “Freak Flag” from the musical. Shrek Forever After has a commentary from director Mike Mitchell, head of story/actor Walt Dohrn, and producers Gina Shay and Teresa Chung.

The 13 minute “Spotlight on Shrek” turns towards the leading man of the films. There are also 5 minutes of deleted scenes, a 9 minute “Conversation with the Cast,” and the 7 minute “Tech of Shrek Forever After” looks at the technology that brought it to the screen.

The musical tab has the 4 minute “Darling I Do” music video and a tab devoted to the Broadway musical (the 8 minute “From Swamp to Stage” making of, 4 minute “Who I’d Be” number). There’s also the 30 minute “Shrek’s Yule Log” that is like the fireplace screensaver but with characters popping up occasionally.

The 5 minute “Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular” has the group in a short singing Christmas songs. The Deck the Swamp tab is also holiday themed with a 2 minute “12 Days of Christmas Pop-up Book,” “Donkey’s Decoration Scramble” is a game, and the 5 minute “Cooking with Cookie” offers holiday recipes. Shrek the Halls, the recent Scared Shrekless (see, the series isn’t dead just yet), and Shrek 4-D aren’t on here.

The Shrek films are a fantastic showcase for a cast of amazing and amusing characters snatched out of fairytales. The series entertains both adults and kids and this fantastic set of Blu-rays showcases them all (the Third ain’t really my favorite). It’s a great way to get the whole story for everyone.