It ain't ogre 'til it's ogre. The fourth and final Shrek film opens in theaters today and thanks to some great use of 3D technology, the lovable green ogre goes out on top.
I took one of my tots to get a sneak peek at "Shrek Forever After" last weekend and it didn't matter that we'd never seen any of the first three films: "Shrek," "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third." If we missed any inside jokes because of that, it didn't affect our enjoyment.
And, the great 3D technology out there now -- and director Mike Mitchell's exciting use of it in some scenes (like the opening shot when a horse-drawn carriage comes racing right at us as top speed!) -- combined with a classic frog and prince style fairy tale storyline make the film a hit with kids.
Having suffered through a few minor 3D revivals over the years -- all of which were rotten and utilized glasses that only made only headaches -- not action -- super vivid, I was skeptical. But the unflimsy glasses were comfortable and the 3D effects stunning without causing me to reach for the ibuprofen.
The film's PG rating ("for mild action, some rude humor and brief language") was a concern, but there wasn't much to upset most young viewers. Although one child -- not seated nearby -- did cry repeatedly during the film, I can't report on the age of the kid nor even if the film caused the woe.
My young movie companion didn't flinch at any of the action, humor or language. And he had little trouble grasping the storyline.
When townspeople ask him to sign their pitchforks, rather than run away in terror, Shrek fears he's becoming too domesticated, too tame and isn't really an ogre anymore.
So, to try and get his roar back on for a day, he makes a deal with slickster Rumpelstiltskin. But, don't you know, it's all a trick and Rumpelstiltskin uses the agreement to wrest control of Far Far Away.
To return things to the way they were -- and to the great life that Shrek couldn't appreciate while he had it -- Shrek has to share "true love's kiss" with Fiona before the day is done. Otherwise, it's curtains for our beloved ogre.
Can he do it? Will this be the end of Shrek?
The fact that a fifth installment of the film was scrapped could be a clue. Or could it? Would DreamWorks Animation end the series with the death of Shrek?
We, of course, will not spoil it here.
One more question: Why does Shrek have a Scottish accent (other than the fact that most every Mike Myers character has one)?
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
