Shrek the Halls (Widescreen / Fullscreen Edition)

Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 11/04/2008

Despite its 22-minute run time, Shrek the Halls (originally written as a half-hour TV special), is packed with plenty of laughs and holiday cheer. The animation is rich, and the character interplay among all the folks we know and love--Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots--endearing and spot-on. Shrek wants to throw the "perfect Christmas" for Fiona and the kids, but as an ogre, has no Yule experience. So he starts at the local bookstore, where a winsome clerk (voiced by Marissa Jaret Winokur) quickly sizes up Shrek's hapless situation and pronounces: "I know all about Christmas, and I have just the book for you: 'Christmas for Village Idiots.'" Shrek becomes so focused on doing the holiday "by the book" that he fails to notice the magic and comradely chaos unfolding all around him. Fiona, for instance, has some neat tricks for making holiday decorations (watch how she turns a festively striped snake into the perfect candy cane). The kids are happily frolicking with the kids of Donkey and everyone else in the village--but the commotion is too much for Shrek, who snaps. Will his ogrely hissy fit ruin Christmas--and make him overlook the meaning of Christmas that can't be found in a book? Even viewers who might guess the answer will enjoy the trip, including competing versions of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known as "The Night Before Christmas." Puss's version: "He was dressed all in fur / From his head to his paws / And he stood there heroic, / A real Santa... Claws." And the film is full of cute references to holiday classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" ("Excuse you for what?" barks Shrek after one of his kids does a dainty Fiona belch knockoff). Even bit players get big laughs, like the three German pigs, ready to have a Christmas Eve sleepover. One points out to his brothers: "Look! We are pigs, ja? Und we are in a blanket, ja? It's funny, ja?" Ja! Warning to parents: There is one scary, almost gruesome scene that involves Santa Claus, but it's over quickly and then the film is back to its funny and heartwarming purpose. Extras include an animated sing-along "Twelve Days of Christmas" featurette as well as several holiday games to keep the tykes engaged after the last present is unwrapped. --A.T. Hurley

This is one of my kids favorite. Its a good dvd for christmas collection. The plush is cute. Would definitely recommend it.

It's okay. My oldest child liked the book last year. So, when we noticed the video this year we had to buy it. Adults may not enjoy it but the kids probably will (my kids loved it).

I am going to make this easy for you. If you like Shrek and you like Holiday movies then this is for you. It is 22 minutes of fun with Shrek and the whole gang. There are also a few extras on the dvd. My 5 and 8 year old go crazy for this movie.
I bought this on amazon for $7.99.

This was the most disappointing movie ever. My children received this movie as a gift from Grandma and last night we finally had some time to watch it. We had no idea that it was only 22 minutes long. Prepared for a long lasting Shrek filled evening, popcorn and all, we snuggled up and hit play. We laughed and laughed...and then it was over. Just like that. Our night abruptly cut short. Needless to say, as soon as the credits rolled my middle daughter (a huge Shrek fan) started crying. My husband and I just looked at each other as if waiting for the punchline. After a minute or two we realized that maybe this was it. He slowly got off the couch, retrieved the jacket, and read the length on the back. Twenty-two minutes. We quickly popped a different movie in and prayed the kids would move past the moment. They did, but unfortunately my daughter will remember the night that Shrek bombed Christmas.

This is a nice, unusual way for my two boys to laugh at "boy" things (like burps, messes, etc.) while getting the message about Christmas. A little bit short for the money, but enjoyable nonetheless.