You know its been quite a few years since the last Shrek film and even now people still talk about the franchise. Whether it's about the memes, the risky comedy or even all the spin-offs featuring Puss in Boots, there is no end to it. In an attempt to remake the original film, we got a stage musical that started back in 2008. Because well when DreamWorks makes a franchise, they want to milk it for all its worth even if it means taking it to broadway and turn it into an attraction at theme parks and some of the most visited cities in the world. Eventually the musical made it to home media and its now currently on Netflix which is the version I'm reviewing today. So let's take a look:
The show begins with a young Shrek (who in this recording of the show is played by Brian d'Arcy James) being sent by his ogre parents into the world to make his living. But not before warning him that because of his looks, the last thing he will see before death is an angry mob. Many years later, Shrek now lives in his swamp all grown up and content with the life he has. But this peace is soon disrupted with the arrival of fairytale refugees who have been sent here by orders from Lord Farquaad (in this recording is played by Christopher) who doesn't like freaks and sentenced them to penal transportation. Hesitant at first, Shrek decides to sort things out with Farquaad and heads to Duloc, reluctantly recruiting Donkey (in this recording played by Daniel Breaker) along the way after Shrek rescues him from his own sentence by Farquaad. And if you know the film well enough, much of what comes next is basically what happens in the film albeit with some noticeable changes.
One thing that many stage adaptations of films struggle with is doing the action sequences which Shrek has quite a few of such as the Duloc brawl (which is an extravagant raffle here), escaping the dragon (which while still great, is a dramatic musical number here) and fighting Robin Hood and his merry men (which is completely absent here). But it's OK because the many musical numbers and the character development (especially with Farquaad and the fairy tale creatures) more than make up for it. In terms of comparison, the musical is the more developed of the two as Farquaad has more time dedicated to him this time around and the whole issue with fairy tale creatures in Duloc is also further explored. Shrek and Fiona (in this recording is played by Sutton Foster) have a lot of great moments together both musically and humorously. Donkey is also great too, but perhaps a bit more flamboyant than in the film which is also true with Farquaad as well. So yes its a great stage adaption of a great film that is still to this day the best satire of fairy tale stories which this stage version reflects on. Also has a few elements borrowed from the sequels too which is nice. 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment