Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Go green in 3D.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 5, 2011

It might not be easy being green, but it sure is profitable. Shrek and its three sequels made more than a fair chunk of change at the box office and additional untold millions of dollars more in home video sales and merchandising, but not by sheer luck. Shrek is a magically timeless series that emphasizes good, wholesome values, even through a plethora of generally kid-friendly but subtly adult humor and dark plot structures that incorporate Fairy Tale cliché to unbelievably unique and effective results. Shrek turns the classic Fairy Tale on its head by crafting a series that emphasizes the "Happily Ever After" finale but gets there through humor and oftentimes dark and perilous adventure, and with a hero and heroine who are decidedly untraditional in both appearance and attitude. The slovenly and anti-social Shrek and his fair Bride, the chubby green ogre Fiona, represent a new take on the classically beautiful Fairy Tale heroes and heroines, allowing the stories to more easily but without much additional pomp and circumstance celebrate the true meaning of love and the joys of the Happily Ever After ending by emphasizing that true beauty is not merely skin deep. The series also emphasizes the role of fate, the importance of friendship, and the joys of family, all while providing great stories, creating wonderful side characters, making fine use of popular music and orchestral score, and always remaining on the cutting edge of computer animation. Shrek is a series that's hard to beat, and best of all, the four-film saga that began in 2001 with Shrek and that ended in 2010 with Shrek Forever After (not "included" in this set, but available via mail-in or online voucher) tells a linear and straightforward story that builds upon itself but ultimately comes full circle to brilliantly emphasize the most basic tenants of true love and happiness.

Three baby ogres in 3D. All is right with the fairy tale world.

Shrek
Rating: 4.5/5

I was hoping this would be a happy ending!

Shrek (Mike Myers, Austin Powers) is a green ogre who wants nothing more to live his life on his own terms. He's a peaceful creature who loves to eat, treasures his privacy, and goes out of his way to harmlessly torment the local torches-and-pitchforks populace, but when the bumbling Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow, Cliffhanger) rounds up all of the Fairy Tale characters in the land and dumps them in Shrek's backyard, the green ogre -- reluctantly accompanied by his new companion, Donkey (Eddie Murphy, Trading Places) -- seeks out Lord Farquaad to ask that the Fairy Tale characters be removed, restoring his treasured peace and quiet. Meanwhile, Farquaad comes to possess a magic mirror that promises him Kingship if he can secure a marriage with a fair young princess. Farquaad chooses the lovely Fiona (Cameron Diaz, Charlie's Angels) as his bride-to-be, ignoring the mirror's warning that the young lady may not be as she appears. Shrek and Donkey arrive at Farquaad's palace and inadvertently become the Lord's champions and are given the task of freeing Fiona from the clutches of an evil dragon, a task to which Shrek agrees to undertake only after he has Farquaad's word that his new and unwanted Fairy Tale companions will be shuttled off to another land. Shrek and Donkey set out on a perilous journey filled with equal parts danger and humor, forming a bond of friendship on the path towards destiny.

Shrek is a straightforward yet undeniably charming movie built on the simplest of ideas but taken to a whole new level of realization and excellence. A Fairy tale that gleefully revels in every cliché but does so by turning the land of Happily Ever After on its head, Shrek embraces new and old alike to create a hybrid picture that's rooted in the classics but cheerfully updated for modern audiences. No longer is the hero a strapping socialite with a big chest or dreamy blue eyes and blond hair, nor is the heroine a shapely damsel in distress with flowing locks and a perfect complexion -- at least not through most of the series. In Shrek, the hero is an overweight green ogre with food-stained clothes, a penchant for untimely bodily functions, a solitary lifestyle, and a natural mean streak that's subdued by a big heart. On the flip side is Fiona, a spellbound princess with an attitude who must come to find that self confidence and comfort in one's own skin are the most beautiful things of all, which sums up the film's none-too-subtle but never overbearing message on the importance of acceptance, friendship, and staying true to oneself. Shrek clearly has plenty of fun manipulating the classic Fairy Tale to its own ends and devices, and that affability is sure to rub off on the audience. One need not be a longtime reader of Fairy Tales to see where Shrek is coming from; the picture works in the broadest of strokes and most general of clichés, but the seamless inclusion of popular music, pop culture references that haven't yet gone stale, and of course the unique characters all add up to one of the best computer-animated films of them all.

At its most basic, though, and behind the unique twist on the Fairy Tale and the wonderfully-realized characters, is a movie with a wit that should be the envy of every other of its kind. Shrek is an uproariously funny film in a classic style that relies on situational humor, timing, and subtle jokes that are offset by just the right amount of louder, more crude humor from Donkey and a few other side characters. Like everything else about the film, there's a fantastic balance in place that gives the movie a wonderfully unique tone. If there's a downside to Shrek, it is one that exists more in hindsight and that can't justly be called a true "problem." Approaching a decade in age, the film's animation doesn't hold up all that well compared to the later installments or its likeminded and similarly-created genre kin both from DreamWorks and the other major animation houses. Shrek -- particularly various background and tertiary elements such as clumps of trees and dirt roads -- often looks sterile and relatively basic, even if most of the film manages a fair sense of depth. On the plus side, though, the characters defy time and style; few animated films have produced a lead character so memorable, and fewer still have found the pitch-perfect voice actor to bring the character to life. Mike Meyers' Shrek is a work of art; there's arguably not another character so vividly realized from a vocal perspective as Shrek, and Eddie Murphy's Donkey and Cameron Diaz's Fiona are about as good as it gets, too.

Shrek 2
Rating: 4/5

We are definitely not in the swamp anymore.

Shrek and Fiona are living the high life of marital bliss. Even a little Donkey can't slow them down from enjoying one another's company and the fruits of "I do," but when they receive notice that Fiona's parents -- the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away -- wish to hold a royal ball in celebration of their daughter's recent marriage, the happy couple travels great distances and through treacherous terrain to arrive just in time and much to the chagrin of one green male ogre. Tensions run high when the royals realize their daughter has married not a handsome prince charming but instead a slovenly green beast. Shrek wants nothing more than for Fiona to be happy, and her happiness depends on the king bestowing his blessing on the happy couple. Enter the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), Fiona's childhood protector and the one who assigned to her solitude in the tower where she patiently awaited her knight in shining armor to bestow upon her love's true kiss and reverse the curse that was her daily physical mutation. Of course, and as such things go, it turns out the Fairy Godmother has her own motives in mind rather than the well-being of the fair Fiona. Meanwhile, Shrek, Donkey, and a feline assassin named Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas, The Mask of Zorro) discover that true love doesn't run skin deep, but not before getting into plenty of trouble and threatening Shrek's Happily Ever After ending with his beautiful bride.

Shrek 2 is prototypical of a successful sequel; it's basically the first movie repackaged, telling a different story but ultimately coming down to the same basic core values that are framed within a structure that's familiar but more highly polished than its predecessor. Indeed, the core theme running through both Shrek and Shrek 2 speaks on the importance of being oneself and loving for all the right reasons rather than hating, dismissing, or questioning an individual for what they look like rather than who they are. It's only when the characters try to become something or someone that they're not that their happiness and Fairy Tale existence is jeopardized. It's basic stuff to be sure, but Shrek 2 does it better than most. The movie's message is clearly identifiable to even the youngest of audiences, wrapped in a mostly wholesome, humorous, and cuddly veneer that helps the overriding theme go down smoothly. Better, the film has a more adult-oriented streak that makes it an entertaining ride for the parents, too. No worries in that area, though: Shrek 2 doesn't cross any "unsafe for the kids" boundaries; the adult humor is evident but so subtly integrated that all but the most intelligent of young viewers will simply gloss over some of the references and jokes aimed at appeasing the adults in the audience that lend to the film that unique flavor that's only found in the Shrek series that's been kid tested and mother approved, as the old saying goes.

As to the specifics of the plot, Shrek 2 logically picks up where its predecessor left off. What better direction to take than to capture the nuances of those lovely in-laws visits and generate conflict from a source of contention that's no doubt plagued most marriages at least once, and particularly in the early stages of matrimony? Not only does the story progress as it should, but the Fairy Tale themes once again play central to the plot, with the film opening with a humorous recap of the first movie -- seen as if it were more of a straightforward Fairy Tale rather than, well, Shrek -- and building its plot around not only around the tension with the in-laws but a jealous prince and his magical mother who feel cheated that an ogre, of all creatures, could win the beautiful Fiona's heart and provide to her true love's kiss, not to mention moving to the front of the line to inherit the keys to the kingdom. The picture also introduces one of the series' best characters, Puss in Boots, a Zorro rip-off, passionate lover, and a favorite of cat lovers around the world for the way the character so perfectly captures both the generic feline traits as well as the subtleties that all cat owners will readily identify. Technically, Shrek 2 proves itself a far superior film to its predecessor. The slightly more robotic animation of the first picture is long gone, replaced by a much bigger, more organic scope and technical prowess. Though the characters retain their same core appearance, details are more fleshed out and environments are sparklingly realized. Shrek 2 may be similar in feel to Shrek, but it's clearly the superior picture in terms of sheer visual delights.

Shrek the Third
Rating: 3/5

Who wants their 'Happily Ever After?'

With the King of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away having fallen ill, Shrek and Fiona have been placed in charge -- temporarily of course -- in his stead. Word of this tragedy reaches the shamed Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) who, rather than living in luxury and serving as King after failing to rescue Fiona from her tower and bestow upon her love's true kiss, has been reduced to playing a parody of himself on the low-rent dinner theater circuit. Charming -- frustrated with the lot he's been dealt and determined to claim what he believes to be right fully his -- assembles a group of Fairy Tale scum and villainy to aid him in his quest. Meanwhile, the King has died, but with his dying breaths asked his son-in-law, Shrek, to rule the kingdom. That's too tall an order for the green ogre, and rather than settle into the throne and don the crown, he, Donkey, and Puss in Boots set off on a quest to find the last living heir to the throne, Arthur. Unfortunately, Arthur -- or "Artie," as he likes to be called -- isn't King material, either, and the very notion of being given the responsibility of ruling over all the land sends him into a panic that sets in motion a series of dangerous events that could forever alter the fates of Shrek, Fiona, and all of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away.

Shrek the Third is a product of great commercial success. When the first two movies in a series earn a studio almost $1.5 billion in gross revenue, why not use a small chunk of that change to green-light (gotta love those unintentional puns!) a sequel? By the time Shrek the Third hit theaters, the franchise was about as close to a sure thing as is possible. Mike Myers' big green ogre and his misadventures in the Fairy Tale universe charmed audiences in the first two installments with carefully-crafted characters, plenty of well-balanced humor, and a mystical world of heroes and villains, genre clichés, and an infusion of pop culture that worked remarkably well by re-imagining old standbys into something uniquely fresh, spunky, colorful, and even thematically purposeful. Shrek the Third returns to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away, retains its A-list cast of actors and the characters they play, and attempts to build on the legacy of its predecessors, but the results are decidedly mixed, making for the weakest entry in the Shrek family of films. That's not to say Shrek the Third is a bad movie; far from it, the movie is a fun little diversion but comes up lacking in the heart and humor of the first films. The Third feels rather forced but not disingenuous; it plays as something more akin to a hastily-assembled sequel rather than a carefully-planned picture like Shrek 2. The jokes are fewer, the flow a bit slower, and the magic a bit less effective, making for a movie that's watchable but at the same time a little stale and rough around the edges where the script struggles to find meaning beyond the basics of the story.

Fortunately, the series continues on in a logical progression as far as Shrek and Fiona's relationship is concerned. Following in the old "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Shrek 2, then comes Shrek Jr. in a baby carriage" tradition of the guidelines for love and family, Shrek the Third sees Fiona a mother-to-be with the expected result that Shrek finds himself emotionally unprepared for fatherhood. Of course, he has little time to worry about such trivialities; there's work to be done, namely work that will ensure that he doesn't have to bear the burden of ruling a kingdom, instead free to enjoy the quiet life he so trea...er, never mind, there are baby Shreks on the way! Shrek the Third does manage to keep up the balance of slapstick and subtle humor; in that vein, the characters remain true to themselves -- a critical theme throughout the series -- while also enjoying further emotional development along the way. Even if this adventure lacks in charm, the film works as a bridge to the superior fourth film and a good, but not great, continuation of the storyline as it's been established in Shrek and Shrek 2. Where the film does find greater success than its predecessors is in its animation; it's amazing to watch the films and see the progression in technology from one to the next; Shrek looks almost prehistoric next to Shrek the Third, a picture that looks so good in places that it borders on the photorealistic as several elements almost completely lose that unmistakable digital sheen in favor of something that seems almost as real as an object from the natural world.

Shrek Forever After
Rating: 5/5

I guess there's nothing wrong with wanting some time for myself.

In the time before Shrek rescued Fiona from her tower, bestowed upon her love's true kiss, and the happy couple began their journey towards Happily Ever After, a cunning little villain by the name of Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) persuaded Fiona's royal parents, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), to hand over the keys of the kingdom to him in exchange for freeing Fiona from her seemingly eternal curse. Just as the King was about to sign away everything but his wife and daughter, word reached him that Fiona had been saved, ruining Rumpelstiltskin's perfect plan to sieze power over the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. Years later, Rumpelstiltskin is still sore over the loss and Shrek, who is now married to Fiona and father to triplets, is losing his sanity. His busy life has become a curse rather than a blessing, and he longs only to return to the days before Fiona, Donkey, and the babies and once again live life like a real ogre, scaring peasants and leading a joyfully stress-free existence. When a frustrated Shrek storms out of his babies' first birthday party, he happens up Rumpelstiltskin who seizes the opportunity to offer Shrek the deal of a lifetime: a day of absolute freedom to live as he once did in exchange for one day from his childhood that he won't even remember losing. Shrek signs the binding contract but soon finds his world in disarray; all that he's come to know and love over the years has vanished, replaced by a world run by the hateful Rumpelstiltskin where Fiona is no longer his wife, Donkey is just another talking animal, and his children don't exist. Faced with a reality that he may have forever destroyed all he comes to realize that he holds dear, he sets out to learn what exactly it will take to set things right.

What a way to end the series. Shrek Forever After is the perfect conclusion to the story that began in Shrek; this fourth installment not only captures the magic and heart of the series as well as any of the other entries, but it also boils its entire plot down to the most basic element that defines all four films: the power of true love's first kiss and, with that, the theme that speaks on the importance of self-worth; acceptance; inner beauty; and the meaning and power of real, unconditional love. Shrek Forever After comes full circle by reinforcing the notion that the bonds of love are greater than place and time, circumstances, or stature; even so, the picture once again revels in Fairy Tale cliché, but for once it's cliché with real meaning that allows audiences to whittle away even the most basic plot elements and come to see the true power of a Happily Ever After ending. This is a Fairy Tale, after all, so there's no surprise that the movie ends on the most upbeat and heartfelt conclusion possible given the specifics of the story, but that's alright. Shrek Forever After and the other three Shrek films, for that matter, provide a tender and warm escape from the complexities of the world and aim to do nothing more than show that no matter the challenges that life throws one's way, there's always something better, something meaningful, something special on the horizon or, maybe, right under one's own nose. Every day and every moment might not be absolute physical, emotional, and spiritual bliss, but Shrek teaches that it's the sum of the experiences that define true happiness. Shrek Forever After offers the perfect example of that by way of showing Shrek's life in a state of disarray that's about the last thing he could have ever wanted when audiences first met him nearly a decade ago; his is a classic case of "you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone," and therein lies the perfect scenario for the perfect Happily Ever After ending. Shrek could have never imagined that he would one day find true happiness in a houseful of babies, a wife by his side, a donkey as his best friend, and a suddenly cuddly and not at all terrifying stature where is roar is a gimmick rather than a frightening deterrent. Happiness, he and the audiences learns, comes to be defined through life experiences, and Shrek's destiny leads him to time and again find the real power and purpose behind love's true kiss and all that comes with it.

Shrek Forever After finds its success as a film that reinforces the basic theme that runs through the series, but there are plenty of other things to love about the movie, all of which elevate it to a level of animated cinematic perfection that's rarely achieved. The picture retains the same charming characters and basic structure of its predecessors; Forever After is equal parts adventure, comedy, and tenderness, and like the first two films, it manages to find and maintain the absolute perfect balance between the three. This film continues on with the inclusion of popular music to reinforce various plot elements and themes, and its use of The Carpenters' "Top of the World" is particularly memorable and, arguably, one of the finest music-movie compliments in all of cinema. Better still, Forever After is a visually gorgeous picture and easily the best of the series. Unlike the other three films, Forever After is presented in a scope widescreen aspect ratio that gives a more epic and dramatic flair to the image, but more importantly, the animation is, well, in a class practically by itself. Watching the four films in succession yields a real appreciation for how quickly the digital technologies have evolved. Whether in sheer realism, infinite details, or brighter and bolder colors, Shrek Forever After is so far ahead of the original film and several notches better than either of the other two predecessors that one can't help but wish there would be a fifth film in the series several years from now if only to see the characters improved by even greater advances in animation techniques.

One criticism of Shrek Forever After might be that it closely resembles Shrek 2 in terms of structure and story; in 2, Shrek longed to be something other than an ogre so as to please Fiona and earn the blessing of her doubting father. Here, Shrek yearns to lose the humanity he's acquired and the life he's built and return to a more primitive and solitary state. In both films, Shrek learns that he's the sum of his experiences and not merely an immutable being accidentally thrust into an unnatural environment. Shrek Forever After takes things a step further, though; in Shrek 2, all that really changed was Shrek. In Shrek Forever After, he comes to realize that it's not necessarily him who defines who he is, but all it is that's around him, that's influenced him, that's become a part of his life. The complexities of life don't play well with alternate realities while traveling backwards down one's own personal evolutionary scale; every rung of that ladder holds an element that comes to define the entirety of an existence. Slide back down and those elements remain inside, even if they're not readily evident externally, resulting in an inner conflict that can't be resolved and a balance that can't be leveled. That basic core principal plays right into the hand of the series' overreaching themes, which are realized here to perfection and help make Shrek Forever After the perfect conclusion to a wonderful series.

Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shrek
Rating: 4/5

Shrek's Blu-ray 3D debut fares very well, and DreamWorks' transfer is practically identical to the 2D release, save for the whole added dimension thing. Indeed, Shrek's 3D presentation sports the same lively palette and same wonderful detailing, the image hamstrung, more or less, only by the limitations of the technology circa 2001 that was used in creating the movie. Shrek's 1080p, 1.78:1-framed 3D transfer exhibits fine detailing across the board; Shrek's trademark tattered off-white shirt shows off every digital stitch, the gingerbread man character reveals some incredibly lifelike cookie textures, and environments -- particularly elements in the foreground -- show off a good level of perceptible detailing. Colors are stable, too, even through the 3D filter; the brightly-colored pages of the book that opens the movie and partially sets the thematic tone for the series holds up incredibly well, with all the reds and blues appearing as strongly here as in the 2D version. Blacks are maybe just a slight bit more murky in 3D, and the transfer still exhibits the same light shimmering and the few jagged edges that were present in the 2D-only transfer. In all of the general attributes shared amongst the 2D and 3D releases, Shrek's 3D transfer appears mostly identical to the 2D release.

Fortunately, the 3D elements are up to the challenge of bringing Shrek to a whole new dimension of fun. Most every scene sports a fair amount of depth; Shrek's 3D presentation isn't going to redefine the way people look at Blu-ray 3D, but the transfer does everything right and the results are good-to-great, with most of the movie leaning towards the "great" end of the spectrum. As is true with any good 3D transfer, Shrek's best attribute is its seamlessness. There's nothing gimmicky here and no one scenes stands out as particularly forced or made to look 3D for the sake of 3D; it's like a soundtrack that naturally extends the limitations of the soundstage and creates a viable, realistic atmosphere without forcing sounds into the back speakers just for the sake of tossing information in that direction. Shrek is a respectful, honest 3D transfer that enjoys good depth of field throughout. The characters feature real shape and volume, and while some environments still look a little flat and several edges appear overly soft, one has to look pretty hard to find a major fault with DreamWorks' 3D transfer. There are a few double images to be seen -- a character's head seems to have a ghostly shadow in one scene, the edge of a building appears partially transparent in another -- but such anomalies appear far and few between when the disc is played back on Panasonic's first-generation 3D hardware. Shrek isn't going to wow viewers as much as it is going to satisfy them; this isn't a "demo" quality 3D disc, but fans will be hard pressed to find much fault with it.

Shrek 2
Rating: 4.5/5

As with its predecessor, Shrek 2's transfer is virtually transparent when it comes to comparing it with the 2D-only release and subtracting the 3D elements from the equation. This transfer features some wonderful detailing that one-ups Shrek in every regard, with the image again reflective of the quality of the technology used to create the film. It's a bit more seamless and the image holds up with all the added details and extended clarity to be found throughout. Whether the way the transfer reveals every scratch and dent on Prince Charming's armor, the textures of the buildings in the Kingdom of Far, Far Away, or the intricacies that give Puss in Boots' nose a seamlessly realistic appearance, there's nothing too big or too small for this transfer to handle, and DreamWorks' 1080p presentation delivers everything with near perfect clarity. The image is shaper with far fewer soft edges, and definition is improved at distance. Colors are wonderfully vibrant throughout, with every hue a sparkling work of art and each one well-balanced in every lighting condition. Unfortunately, black crush remains an issue on the 3D transfer, but otherwise, this one's borderline exceptional.

Shrek 2's 3D imagery is a bit more seamless than that of its predecessor. Depth is greater and more natural as the transfer reveals sharper details on background objects and does a better job of creating just the right sense of spacing between objects both near and far. Environments, characters, and objects alike all look fantastic in 3D. Mundane objects like Little Red Riding Hood's picnic basket and the rotund bottle of "Happily Ever After" potion Shrek steals from the Fairy Godmother halfway through the film both take on a definite shape and volume that gives them an almost tangible and very realistic look. Characters, too, seem to occupy space in a most natural manner, while their environments -- whether inside Shrek's cozy home in the swamp; the vastness of the forest where Donkey and Shrek meet Puss in Boots; or the sprawling cityscape shots of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away with its close-up and distant buildings, long streets, and all the little doodads around town like a mechanical billboard promoting the Fairy Godmother -- all take on a perceptible depth that's vastly superior to anything seen in Shrek and certainly representative of some of the best 3D imagery yet on Blu-ray. "Ghosting" isn't much of an issue; it's visible here and there -- notably on distant shots of the "onion" carriage the characters take to the Kingdom -- but viewers watching on Panasonic's hardware, at least, won't notice much. Overall, this is an excellent 3D transfer from DreamWorks.

Shrek the Third
Rating: 4.5/5

Shrek the Third's transfer isn't all that different from what's offered in Shrek 2. DreamWorks' 1080p Blu-ray 3D transfer features excellent detailing throughout; whether all the regal garb and the fancy bedsheets and furnishings seen around the happy couple's living quarters in the castle, character and clothes textures, the scaly reptillian skin of King Harold's body, the stone façades of the buildings at Worcestershire, or the texture of chain mail armor, every nuance is handled to 1080p perfection. As with the other films, colors here are beautifully rendered, with vibrant hues and the many earth tones seen throughout both appearing in the natural and without any fading or over-saturation. Blacks aren't quite as overpowering, and the image is perfectly sharp throughout. Best of all, banding is kept to a minimum, and other no-nos, like aliasing, are absent. Of the three films in this collection, Shrek the Third is the most visually refined, and this Blu-ray captures every nuance to digital perfection.

No surprise, Shrek the Third's 3D attributes are quite good, and the image is the equal of the strong effort that was Shrek 2. Depth is fantastic all around, whether the digital camera is aimed at a wide, scenic landscape or positioned so as to offer a cramped close-up shot of characters packed into the frame. Most every shot brings a very strong sensation that the world of Shrek is a real, tangible place, where space is infinite and everything in each frame is allowed the breathing room required to make for a seamlessly real-in-appearance digital environment. Spacing is excellent; check out the sequence in chapter eight that features Shrek and Arthur speaking on the ship as its sails away from Worcestershire; not only does the boat seem to have a real amount of space to it, but the land mass behind the ship seems at a great distance away rather than appearing as a blob on one part of the frame. The 3D elements work almost perfectly in every scene, and there's very little in the way of "ghosting" with this one, too. Shrek the Third's 1080p Blu-ray 3D transfer isn't leaps and bounds better than its predecessors -- particularly Shrek 2 -- but it's the best of the bunch primarily for the slight boost in detail that's a result of the greater budget and better technology utilized in crafting the picture in the digital realm. Fans should be very pleased with this Blu-ray 3D effort.

Shrek Forever After
Rating: 4.5/5

Shrek Forever After's 1080p 2D Blu-ray presentation was, and still is, one of the absolute best-looking transfers out there. The 3D presentation introduces another level on which the image needs to once again find perfection to maintain its status as an epic-sort of transfer. It doesn't quite achieve the same level of perfection in 3D as it does in 2D, but this is nevertheless a fantastically strong transfer and one of the finest Blu-ray 3D transfers available. The film opens with a look into the pages of a Shrek storybook, and as the pages move along with the story, they seem to flip up from one end of the book to the next, sticking out of the television screen on the way. Shrek Forever After features a few additional "pop out" visual effects -- horses run straight out of the screen in one early scene, and various dust and debris elements seem to float on out in front of the audience on occasion -- but as with most strong Blu-ray 3D transfers, this one is more about natural depth perception than it is more gimmick-style visuals. The 3D image does best in the birthday party sequence that sets Shrek off and begins the adventure; the layers of people look incredibly real, with viewers able to gauge the space between them and the shape of each character as if they were inside the room. Even some of the less obvious effects stand out as impressive; when Shrek is in the cage on his way to Rumpelstiltskin's, the shape of the bars and the sense that Shrek is indeed in the holding cell and not simply in a flat environment with flat bars in front of him to give the appearance of imprisonment is truly remarkable. Such little intricacies are evident throughout; this is a good, all-natural 3D image that sports minimal crosstalk and no additional 3D-related problems of note.

Of course, it retains the same incredible coloring and detail as found on the 2D-only version. This remains a positively striking image to behold, with the 1080p resolution clearly showcasing each and every small nuance the digital artists have inserted into the film. Whether the smallest of spots on Shrek's skin; the tiny little textures and signs of dirt and wear on his clothes; or the seemingly infinite number of little touches that make up each environment, from the natural little woodland abode Shrek calls home to the disco decked-out halls of Rumpelstiltskin's palace, the level of absolute definition to behold is staggering to say the least. Colors are wonderfully vibrant, maybe a touch less so in 3D, but nevertheless more impressive than most of the best 2D-only transfers have to offer, again whether examining the precision shading of Shrek's green skin, the flamboyant clothes and wigs worn by Rumpelstiltskin, or the more natural earthen exterior hues that dot the film. Black levels are a touch too overwhelming here, but not to any kind of total detriment to the image. Clarity is second-to-none and no digital artifacts or harmful tinkering is present. In short, this is a wonderful, sparkling 3D transfer. It could be a hair better, sure, but it's super as it is. DreamWorks really needs to get this title out on the market for general sale, and fast; this could very well be a release that would push many over into the 3D camp.

Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Thanfully, DreamWorks' Blu-ray 3D release of all four Shrek films features the same wonderful 7.1 lossless soundtracks that accompany the films in the 2D box set.

Shrek
Rating: 4.5/5

DreamWorks unleashes Shrek onto Blu-ray with a positively stunning Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Those two additional channels bring greater dimension and clarity to the proceedings, effectively creating an immersive and wonderfully satisfying 360-degree sound field that's the ultimate compliment to the film. The various popular music tunes sound fantastic -- from Smash Mouth's "All Star" to Donkey's version of "I'm a Believer" -- and play with a power, clarity, and spacing reserved for the best of the best lossless presentations. Indeed, music spreads across the front with a fair back channel support element and a kicking but tight and perfectly-realized low end; these tunes have never sounded better. The 7.1 configuration also aids in recreating the various environmental nuances heard throughout the movie; whether nighttime buzzing insects or chirping birds during the day, listeners will often feel immersed into the world of Shrek thanks to a nuanced but highly effective support structure. Even better, more potent effects sound fantastic, and the bigger of them seem to widen the soundstage to practically hurtle the audience into the perils and pitfalls of the journey. Supported by seamless and center-focused dialogue reproduction, Shrek has never sounded better at home.

Shrek 2
Rating: 4.5/5

Copying and pasting the Shrek audio review would suffice here. DreamWorks' Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a full and wonderfully immersive sonic experience that effortlessly transports listeners to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. There's no wait time, no "are we there yet?" nagging; this track offers instant sonic gratification and never relents until the movie ends and the disc returns to the main menu screen. Once again, both popular music and sound effects alike spring to life through a rich and full-bodied presentation that works all seven speakers extensively, while the subwoofer chimes in to offer some tight and potent supportive elements that nicely round out the track and give it the heft it needs to stand out from tinier and less well-defined lossless soundtracks. Whether the slightest atmospheric elements or the most potent action sound effects, Shrek 2 delivers a continuous stream of sonic goodness by recreating every effect big, small, and in between with equal amounts of precision and ease. All of it is built around center-focused dialogue reproduction that plays with nary an audible hiccup from beginning to end. This is one soundtrack that will definitely leave listeners Happily Ever After!

Shrek the Third
Rating: 4.5/5

Yes indeed, Shrek the Third sounds great on Blu-ray. DreamWorks' Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack dazzles with another wholly immersive experience that's so well balanced that everything from the subtlest of environmental nuances to the most dazzling of the biggest sound effects all pull the audience into the excitement of Shrek the Third with an effortlessness that must be heard to be believed. No, this isn't the most dynamic track out there; bass isn't quite as aggressive and music isn't quite as natural as what's found on the cream of the crop lossless soundtracks, but this one resides just a notch below. It's the same old story, really. The track's prowess extends to both ends of the spectrum and covers everything in between with equal amounts of precision and fun. Listeners will feel like a part of the unruly crowd during a raucous barroom brawl in chapter four or as one of the audience members bemoaning another subpar stage performance from the disgraced Prince Charming at film's open. Atmospherics -- notably the dripping rain and booming thunder heard during the King's funeral in chapter three -- proves extraordinarily satisfying and real, while the subtlety of gently rolling waters brushing up against the hull of a wooden vessel in chapter eight will make the audience feel like they're on the ship's deck. Bass is seamlessly integrated into the track, too, as evidenced by a stampeding herd of imaginary baby ogres in chapter five. Music once again enjoys excellent spacing and clarity across the front, while dialogue never misses a beat as it flows from the center speaker. It's just another day at the office with this one.

Shrek Forever After
Rating: 5/5

This sonically flawless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack is the perfect companion to Shrek Forever After's impeccable 1080p video transfer. DreamWorks' lossless presentation easily surpasses the soundtracks of the three other films in this collection, and while it shares in common most of the same attributes, it amplifies them all and perfects each one, allowing this track to reach something of a zenith that places it amongst the finest soundtracks available on Blu-ray. Spacing is perfect, clarity amazing, and the entire thing is virtually transparent as the speakers seem to disappear in favor of a wide, real, and organic presentation that simply must be heard to be believed. Listen as the Royal buggy slams its way through the soundstage in one early scene or be transported into a mobile holding cell with Shrek in another as it bounces around on rough terrain, allowing listeners to almost feel the bumps in the road with every pebble and recess. Listen for the track to increase in potency in conjunction with Shrek's level of irritation at the birthday party, culminating in him "doing the roar" and sending a shockwave of blissful bass through the listening area that's as tight, precise, and potentially window-shattering as anything out there, at least until the sensation is repeated and, it seems, kicked up a level or two later in the film. DreamWorks' soundtrack expectedly handles all of the lesser environmental nuances with ease, and music, too, is delivered with a clarity and realism fit for only the finest of soundtracks, whether speaking of the cheerfully laid back performance of "Top of the World" or the bass-heavy dance beats heard during one of Rumpelstiltskin's parties. Dialogue, of course, plays faultlessly, rounding out a superior soundtrack where even the most praising of adjectives can't really get to how good it really is.

Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, no supplements are included; hopefully DreamWorks will include most, if not all, of the extras found in the impressive 2D-only box set when and if these films are given a proper wide 3D release.

Shrek: The Complete Collection 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Shrek family of films represent digitally-animated cinema at its finest. They might not have the thematic depth of the better Pixar movies, but the films merrily go about their way in reinventing the classic Fairy Tale by populating it with classic secondary and tertiary characters and building heroes who are anything but storybook conventional. The films are soft and cuddly and boast a wonderfully large and tender heart while also packing in plenty of humor that manages to stay fresh for the entirety of the series. The films are perfectly fine for children -- teaching themes on the importance of staying true to oneself and the purpose and power of true love -- while also building a plot, characters, humor, and honesty that will all appeal to the adults in the audience, too. DreamWorks' Samsung exclusive Blu-ray 3D release of the Shrek films is billed as "complete," but where the fourth disc should be inside the case is instead a voucher requiring buyers to request the fourth film from a fulfillment center (free of additional charge). As if exclusive 3D releases weren't bad enough, studios seem to now be requiring 3D owners to jump through even more hoops to get their discs; indeed, this release is anything but "complete" out of the box. Watch out for that pesky fine print. Fortunately, the 3D transfers are all strong-to-spectacular, with Shrek Forever After the sort of title -- both in quality of film, relative "newness" of the title, and strength of 3D presentation -- that could really change the 3D landscape for the better were it available for sale and on demo duty in stores. On the audio side of the spectrum, DreamWorks' has smartly carried over the wonderful 7.1 soundtracks that are the perfect companions to the 3D transfers. Unfortunately, no extras are included, but that's as-expected of these exclusive bundle releases. Hopefully all four Shrek films will be available to all at some point in the near future, and with all four films in the box at time of receipt and packed with the same -- or even more -- extras found in the superb box set.