Christmas time has descended on Shrek and the gang in the new Dreamworks DVD,
Shrek the Halls. The story opens with Shrek busily working to prepare for
Christmas as has promised his family a holiday to remember. One by one the usual
cast of characters begins to show up at the Shrek residence and keep getting in
the way, starting slowly by knocking over trays of food and culminating in an
accidental Christmas tree fire. Soon Shrek has had enough and dispenses with
everyone, leaving only the family, and to Shrek's chagrin, the family could not
be more sad. Shrek soon learns the lesson that, especially at Christmas, those
friends that are close are really family too, and soon everyone is back together
again celebrating Christmas together.
There is not much originality to the story, but an ordinary plot is something
one would expect loveable Shrek characters to be able to overcome. The problem
with this "movie" is that it is over before it really even gets started. The 22
minute length makes it appear to be made for a 30 minute broadcast television
spot, which is not the impression you get from the movie-style DVD packaging.
Perhaps the most dedicated Shrek fans will approve as this does add to the Shrek
library, but most people will be left feeling like they watching this on fast
forward.
