There can be few more flagrant nor nauseating examples of the pernicious influence of American corporate capitalisms influence on artistic output than the animated
Shrek 'franchise'-a good, original digital animation with amusing characters, witty dialogue, and a deftly chosen cast. The film proved a massive success for Dreamworks pictures, drawing critical praise and finding world-wide cross-generational appeal. In the decade since its release, however, the exploitation of the characters and story world of the original has been sufficiently ruthless that George Lucas himself may have balked at the bare-faced profiteering of the THREE sequels that have buffered the franchises ubiquitous merchandising. The flogging of the dead horse appears to be continuing unabated, however, as a spin off film,
Puss In Boots, from the eponymous feline assassin- played by
Antonio Banderas- who proved popular enough to paper of the cracks in the increasingly derelict edifice that were the Shrek sequels. And, of course, this latest trip to the well is being rendered in inglorious 3D- the simpleton cinephiles medium of choice- and in spite of the fact the film will not be released until November, a poster and trailer are now both available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htwiwtbnlqg Puss In Boots will see Banderas return alongside the likes of
Salma Hayek and
Zach Galifianakis, and the movie will be directed by
Chris Miller, who was part of the regular Dreamworks creative team for Shrek the 3rd et al. Joining the production staff will be celebrated Mexican director,
Guillermo del Toro (Pans Labyrinth) and the writers will be
Tom Wheeler (from The Cape animated series) and
David Steinberg (American Pie 2).
The film is released in the US on November the 4th, distributed by Paramount Pictures.