Bookmark
Shrek the Halls DVD – a fun holiday appetizer for the whole family
What is it about the Shrek franchise that makes both kids and dads laugh out loud? All the Shreks have been good, mostly clean, family fare that work on both adult and kid levels. My kids and I watched Shrek the Halls last night and both my four-year old boy and eight year-old girl laughed through the whole thing. At one point, I even had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard.
Clocking in at 22 minutes, this video is a a very short diversion that may even become a classic about the holiday season like “It’s a Wonderful LIfe” or The Grinch. At least you can tell yourselves that when you take a break from wrapping presents to indulge for a few minutes. The movie’s premise is simple: this is Shrek’s first Christmas and he wants to make it perfect for his new family. And when he says family, he’s not talking about Donkey, Puss ‘n Boots, and all the other fairy tale creatures (Three little pigs, Gingerbread man) who live down the lane. Shrek has to find the real way to celebrate Christmas which, as some character says, isn’t something you follow a cook book recipe to do. Shrek’s Christmas involves the whole extended swamp family and ultimately involves family fighting and bickering. As Donkey says, “My mama always said, ‘Christmas ain’t Christmas until someone cries.” Many adults will find that this is the line that resonates the most for them out of the entire 22 minutes.
At $20 for this video, you may want to buy it bundled with Shrek 3, which may end up even costing less. 
I was hoping I didn't raise expectations too much. It's not Shrek 2 or 3, but I thought it was diverting and my kids and I laughed out loud. Of course, I laugh a lot more just because my 4-year old likes to say "don-key" with a Scottish accent.
The other Christmas movie we just watched is "Elf." It is horribly disappointing, but also laugh-out-loud funny. No one is ever going to write a dissertation on this film, but it was entertaining to watch with the kids. And we did enjoy the "Baby, It's Cold Outside" duet with Zooey Deschanel singing in the shower with Will Ferrell.
I was looking forward to watching this, after reading your review, Paul. We saw it a couple nights ago and both James and I were disappointed. It seemed sort of silly and disjointed (and I love Shrek!) and we both thought the script was badly written. I found all the yelling in the movie and the chaos jolting and tiresome as well... What did you like about it?!
--Jennifer Shrek Scrooge...