Shrek forever after was one of my favourite animated films when I was young and I still stand by it being great. Now it's not amazing but it's definitely extremely underrated and almost needlessly hated because of the third instalment to the series. Shrek forever after focused a lot more on it's story, characters, development and theme. It's a lot darker than the other films which can push people away that are looking for pure fun. It focuses on Shrek having issues with his family life and him missing the days when he was feared and didn't have to many responsibilities of being a parent and famous, eventually it gets to much for him and it Provokes him Into saying really cruel and hurtful things towards Fiona leaving him mad and unapologetic. After noticing the confrontation Rumpelstiltskin, the stories main antagonist offers Shrek a deal to live his glory days of being a feared ogre by taking a past day of shreks life in exchange. He accepts and is taken to a different reality where he isn't famous anymore and is feared by villagers. But he soon gets bored of it realizing it's not what he really wants and he goes home. However it was all a trick as Shrek finds himself without a home, a family or his past friends. And no one remembering him. Rumpelstiltskin took the day Shrek was born to take control of far far away since Shrek was never born to rule it. This leads to Shrek having multiple struggles with what he did, how he was wrong and for him to realize family and love is what he wants. He later finds a strong warrior Fiona who was changed by never being rescued from the castle and an army group of rebellious ogres who want to beat Rumpelstiltskin for capturing and killing ogres. Shrek tries to explain to her that he knows her and loves her however she rejects him and wants to focus on the upcoming battle. Shrek joins the cause to try and get closer to Fiona rekindling the sparks that got them together in the first place.
There's so many other great plot moments to mention but I suggest everyone watch this first or again and go into it open minded. There's a great line that sums the movie up perfectly. When Shrek said to Fiona " I always thought that I rescued you from the dragons keep, no it was you that rescued me" the movie has great animation and voice acting. Especially Rumpelstiltskin. He might be my favourite character in the movie and he is genuinely a smart and great villain. It has a a good story, self reflection and a resolution. For an animated film I'm surprised how well they ended the series here. After a bad third film I feel many people overlook this film and I hope one day it gets the respect it deserves.
There's so many other great plot moments to mention but I suggest everyone watch this first or again and go into it open minded. There's a great line that sums the movie up perfectly. When Shrek said to Fiona " I always thought that I rescued you from the dragons keep, no it was you that rescued me" the movie has great animation and voice acting. Especially Rumpelstiltskin. He might be my favourite character in the movie and he is genuinely a smart and great villain. It has a a good story, self reflection and a resolution. For an animated film I'm surprised how well they ended the series here. After a bad third film I feel many people overlook this film and I hope one day it gets the respect it deserves.