Shrek: The Whole Story Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Shrek: The Whole Story Blu-ray Movie Review

Do the roar and indulge in this fantastic four-disc set from DreamWorks.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 24, 2010

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 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.

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 the Fourth 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 the Fourth 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 the Fourth 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; The Fourth 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, Shrek the Fourth is a visually gorgeous picture and easily the best of the series. Unlike the other three films, The Fourth 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 the Fourth 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 the Fourth 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 the Fourth takes things a step further, though; in Shrek 2, all that really changed was Shrek. In Shrek the Fourth, 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 Whole Story Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shrek
Rating: 4/5

Shrek's Blu-ray debut seems limited only by the boundaries of the original source material. DreamWorks' Blu-ray release of Shrek sees the green ogre spring to vivid life courtesy of a nicely detailed and exceptionally colored 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. While fine details are strong -- particularly around the foreground and in character construction -- the film's vivid palette is the real winner in the upgrade to high definition. From the opening scene that features the brightly-colored pictures inside a book and through the entirety of the picture, Shrek's color palette shines brightly and with a vibrant yet steady appearance that allows reds, blues, and greens to practically leap off the screen. Detail is almost a match, though the rather limited CGI artistry of the time period in which the film was made in turn limits what DreamWorks' transfer can show. On the downside, banding is evident in a few spots while shimmering is visible throughout and to the point of bordering on distraction. Otherwise, Shrek looks very good on Blu-ray, sporting a crisp, perceptibly deep, and satisfying image that should please longtime fans itching to upgrade from that well-loved DVD edition.

Shrek 2
Rating: 4.5/5

It takes but a glance to see the improvements in the animation between Shrek and Shrek 2. DreamWorks' 1080p transfer of Shrek 2 delivers a gorgeous high definition presentation that allows all of the digital nuances to be fully realized in every frame. Detail is amazing throughout, with the transfer revealing every stubble of facial hair on Shrek's face, the finest texturing of his clothes, and the massive amounts of intricate eye candy that abounds in all of the film's locales, whether the serene woodland areas or the far more complex structures of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. Colors excel, too; whether Shrek and Fiona's ogre-green skin -- the color that's come to define the franchise -- or the bright purple splashes of magic contrails that follow the Fairy Godmother's flying cart, the transfer never lacks a breathtakingly gorgeous rainbow of hues. Great amounts of perceptible depth -- even in 2D -- are another hallmark of this transfer, but DreamWorks' image does suffer through some minor shimmering and a few jagged edges, though not to the extent that they're seen in Shrek. All told and aside from those two slight bugaboos, Shrek 2 excels on Blu-ray.

Shrek the Third
Rating: 4.5/5

They just keep getting better and better. DreamWorks' Blu-ray release of Shrek the Third sparkles in high definition, with most of the (albeit minor) problems evident in the first two releases virtually non-factors here; only minor banding evident in the storm clouds seen during the film's open prove cause for concern. This 1080p, 1.78:1-framed gem of a transfer allows viewers to appreciate the precision work of DreamWorks' digital artists to an extent not even possible in theaters; pause almost any scene and marvel at the extraordinary attention to detail in every object. Even Shrek's old standby clothes that have seen him through three movies -- that dirty white undershirt and the brown vest -- offer up even greater detailing in Shrek the Third, with even the smallest of frays, speckles of dirt, and nuanced textures coming to life on Blu-ray. Colors are expectedly vibrant and remain steady even in low-light conditions, notably in an early scene in chapter three as several characters hover over the dying king. Once again, depth is fantastic, with several overhead shots of the Kingdom looking almost as good as a few of the lesser 3D transfers. The entire thing is a stunning achievement in digital animation and home video; that nuisance banding proves just heavy enough to knock the score down half a point, but rest assured that this is basically perfect picture quality the rest of the way.

Shrek Forever After
Rating: 5/5

Shrek Forever After switches things up a bit, ditching the 1.78:1 aspect ratio for the 2.35:1 widescreen format. The results are, in a word, breathtaking. For as wonderful as the other films look, Forever After simply blows them away in every area, thanks to the jaw-dropping quality of the animation that's arguably the best of any purely digital film to date. Detail is so striking that it sometimes distracts from the movie; viewers will be awed by the infinite clarity, precision sharpness, faultless detailing, and immaculate color palette that all accompany every frame. Whether the regal purple and gold accents on the King and Queen's carriage as seen at the beginning of the film, Shrek's trademark green skin, or Fiona's captivating blue eyes, this transfer is awash in a splendid array of colors that put most every other Blu-ray disc to shame. Likewise, details are so good that one can only wonder how long it took to make a movie this exacting while staring at the 1080p screen in bewilderment that anything can look this good. The transfer is free of any unwanted blemishes, and that pretty much wraps this one up. The transfer speaks for itself, and Shrek Forever After commands strong consideration as the year's -- and, so far, Blu-ray's -- absolute best picture quality.

Shrek: The Whole Story Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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. The only question that remains is: can Shrek Forever After top its predecessors in the audio department?

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 Whole Story Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All four Blu-ray discs in this collection offer a wide array of supplements, some of which are quite similar in all four instances. Such extras will be reviewed as a whole, and more specific extras will be covered on a film-by-film basis. Individual scores for each disc include the extras that appear across all four discs. The first extra that accompanies all four films is The Animators' Corner, a picture-in-picture commentary/behind-the-scenes supplement that take viewers deep into the making of each movie, looking at the process of bringing the world of Shrek to life not only on the big screen and on the computer hard drive but as it developed in the minds of the filmmakers. The individual pieces also examine the work of the digital artists and the voice actors while also exploring conceptual drawings, the details that went into crafting both the characters and the environments in which they exist, the colors, the music, the deep research into Fairy Tales and medieval times, and more. Also examined is the implementation of the many different Fairy Tales characters and themes throughout the series. These are excellent features that offer both the average fan and the hardcore enthusiast alike an incredible amount of information. Also appearing on all four discs is Shrek's Interactive Journey. Labeled I, II, III, and IV as they correspond to the film they accompany, these extras offer a clickable map that shows viewers the artwork that inspired the design of the various locales around the world of Shrek. Note that each map offers movie-exclusive environments. Secrets of... (1080p, various runtimes) looks at the works of the voice actors in the films and highlights many of the hidden goodies scattered about each film that reference other Fairy Tales, establish continuity, reveal design secrets, explore pop culture references, and more. All four discs also offer the DreamWorks Animation Jukebox which features brief music videos from a variety of DreamWorks Animation films. Also included across all four discs are the same assortment of previews: Kung Fu Panda 2, Megamind, The Penguins of Madagascar, Shrek the Musical, and the video game Kung Fu Panda World.

Shrek
Rating: 3/5

Shrek's extra content begins with a filmmakers commentary track featuring Directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and Producer Aron Warner, available with optional English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. Some of the information carries over from the picture-in-picture supplement, but fans will appreciate this added insight. The commentary is rather typical in information provided; the filmmakers discuss the characters, the voice acting, abandoned plot lines, the process of animating the film, Harry Gregson-Williams' and John Powell's fantastic score, and much more. This is a good complimentary piece to the film, but more casual fans might want to go with the picture-in-picture commentary if time forces a choice between one or the other. Next up is Spotlight on Donkey (1080p, 11:38), a short piece that features cast and crew discussing the character, his progression through the series, and the voice work of Actor Eddie Murphy, supported by clips from every Shrek film. The Shrek, Rattle & Roll tab offers two music videos (480p) -- "Best Years of Our Lives" by Baha Men (3:08) and "I'm a Believer" by Smash Mouth (3:15) -- as well as Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party (1080p, 2:53) and the "What's Up Duloc?" number from Shrek the Musical (1080p, 3:57). A collection three deleted scenes (480p, 8:01) round out this collection of extras.

Shrek 2
Rating: 3.5/5

As with Shrek, the extras begin with filmmakers commentary, this time delivering two tracks featuring Directors Kelly Asbury and Conrad vernon on track one and Producer Aron Warner and Editor Michael Andrews manning track two, both offered with optional English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. Both tracks offer engaging discussions into the film. The editor and producer track proves the more intellectually stimulating of the two, with the participants discussing continuity, the process of assembling the film's various elements, the work of the cast and other crew, and more. The director and producer track is a little more audibly lively and also delivers a large amount of information including the challenges inherent to creating and lighting the environments and characters in the digital realm, the work of the voice actors, the humor both obvious and subtle, and plenty more. As was the case with the first film, the picture-in-picture track might be the best option for those without six hours to spend on the movie, the PiP track, and the two commentaries. Spotlight on Puss In Boots (1080p, 10:46) looks at that character's progression through the series, the voice work of Antonio Banderas, and his on-screen sidekick rivalry with Donkey. Next is Far Far Away Idol (1080p, 5:53), a piece featuring an animated Simon Cowell, Shrek, and Fiona judging the musical talents of various characters from the film. Viewers may select the winner at the end of the show. Also included in the Shrek, Rattle & Roll tab are the music videos "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows (480p, 3:22) and "These Boots Are Made For Walking" by Puss In Boots (480p, 2:17), as well as the number "I Know It's Today" from Shrek the Musical (1080p, 5:36).

Shrek the Third
Rating: 2/5

Shrek the Third's extras begin with Spotlight on Fiona (1080p, 9:53), a quick but focused look at the character's progression through the series, Cameron Diaz's contributions that brought Fiona to life, and even a glimpse into some early conceptual drawings for the character. How to Be Green (1080p, 4:03) offers viewers some tips on how to be environmentally friendly. Worcestershire Academy Yearbook (1080p) is an interactive feature that allows viewers to learn a little bit more about Artie and some of the tertiary characters seen during the Academy sequence. Also included is a selection of four deleted scenes (480p, 25:56). Lastly, the Shrek, Rattle & Roll tab features Donkey Dance (1080p, 0:35) and the number "Freak Flag" from Shrek the Musical (1080p, 3:58).

Shrek Forever After
Rating: 4/5

Shrek Forever After offers the best supplemental package amongst the four films in this set. In addition to the universal extras reviewed in the first paragraph, Forever After features a host of extra content, headlined by an audio commentary track with Director Mike Mitchell, Head of Story Walt Dohrn, and Producers Gina Shay and Teresa Cheng, provided with optional English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. The four participants share an obvious chemistry; they're excited and affable in their delivery of the commentary, offering both serious and light insights into the making of the film. There's more variety in the PiP track, so once again, it's the better choice for viewers on a time crunch. Next is the obligatory Spotlight feature, this time highlighting the series' main character, Shrek. Saving the best for last, this piece (1080p, 13:46) examines the character's progression through the series, looks at the voice work of Mike Myers, and the process and technologies involved in creating a digital character. A series of three deleted scenes (1080p, 5:44) are followed by Conversation with the Cast (1080p, 9:18), a retrospective piece where Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and others field questions about the series' history and themes. The Tech of 'Shrek Forever After' (1080p, 7:32) is a fascinating but all-too-brief supplement that takes viewers into the world of digital artistry for a look at how computer-generated animated films are created.

Next, under the Shrek, Rattle & Roll tab, is the "Darling I Do" music video (1080p, 4:00) and Shrek the Musical, a tab unto itself that branches out to contain From Swamp to Stage: The Making of 'Shrek the Musical' (1080p, 8:13) and the number "Who I'd Be" (1080p, 3:56). Shrek's Yule Log (1080p, 30:18, Dolby TrueHD 7.1) is a Shrek-themed digital fireplace that occasionally has random characters pop up in front, while light music and various background noises play in the background. Donkey's Caroling Christmas-Tacular (1080p, 5:11, Dolby TrueHD 7.1) features the characters singing Christmas songs, with optional karaoke-style on-screen lyrics. The Deck the Swamp tab reveals three final extras. 12 Days of Christmas Pop-Up Book (1080p, 2:18) features Shrek telling a Christmas story while a pop-up book works its magic on-screen (too bad this extra is not available in Blu-ray 3D). Donkey's Decoration Scramble (1080p) is an interactive game that challenges players to repair broken Christmas ornaments. Finally, Cookin' With Cookie (1080p, 4:54) features the Chimichanga stand chef providing recipes for Baked Chimichangas, Ogre Orange Slices, Puss' Peanut Butter Yule Logs, Gingy's Gingerbread Cookies, and Donkey's Mouthwatering Waffles.

Shrek: The Whole Story Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's nothing more to be said. Shrek: The Whole Story is a fantastic Blu-ray release from DreamWorks and one of the year's finest box sets. The films are generally fantastic, packing as much heart as humor and as much adventure as amazing animation, and the result is a foursome of films that are worth treasuring forever after. This Blu-ray set features four incredible 1080p transfers, four amazing 7.1 lossless soundtracks, and a host of supplemental content. For those not quite ready to upgrade their DVDs of Shrek and Shrek 2 or the previously-released-on-Blu-ray Shrek the Third, DreamWorks is offering the final installment, Shrek Forever After, as a standalone Blu-ray release. Still, at just over $10 per movie, it's hard to find a reason not to upgrade. Shrek: The Whole Story should be atop every Blu-ray Christmas wish list, and this set comes very highly recommended!