In 2001, the first Shrek movie was released and was successful with not only children, but teens and adults as well.

An unprecedented film, Shrek combined the typical fairy tale story with more realistic factors, such as an isolated and ugly ogre. Granted, the ogre part is rather unrealistic; however the imperfect story line consisting of a cold and irritating character definitely made the movie more dynamic.

Three years after the successful advent of the movie, Shrek and Fiona’s love story continued with a movie sequel, Shrek 2, which, despite the fact that it did not receive as many awards as the original Shrek, was as equally liked by audiences. In the sequel, Shrek and his wife finish off their honeymoon in the swamp and head off to Far Far Away, where Fiona’s father, Harold, is king, and her mother, Lillian, is queen. Much to Fiona’s parent’s dismay, they find that Fiona and Shrek are both ogres, and after a threat by the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming’s mother, King Harold is forced to kill Shrek. However, the attempt fails, and the movie finishes happily ever after.

In 2007, Shrek the Third was released, yet again pleasing the audiences. In this sequel, as King Harold falls sick, Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona are compelled to search for Artie, the rightful heir to the throne, because Shrek himself is reluctant to give up his life in the swamp. Meanwhile, however, the evil and conniving Prince Charming plans on a coup to usurp the throne. Again, the plan fails, and Shrek and his gang of dysfunctional fairy tale characters continue to live happily. The story doesn’t finish there, however.

On Friday May 21, the original cast of Shrek and other additional characters are returning for yet another sequel—Shrek Forever After. Expected to be the final movie in the Shrek series, Shrek 4 will be different than any other Shrek movie ever before, because in this movie, Shrek doesn’t exist—by theory.

Fans of the series may be able to recall that in the first movie, before Shrek rescues Fiona, King Harold and Queen Lillian promise to willingly give Far Far Away to Rumpelstiltskin in return for the removal of Fiona’s curse. As vengeance for preventing him from becoming king, Rumpelstiltskin offers the completely changed and civilized Shrek a chance to go back to his old, savage ways in return for a day of his life in Shrek 4.

The day that Shrek gives away, unfortunately, is his birth day, causing him to never be born in the eyes of his loved ones. After being rejected by his friends, who claim they do not know him, and being deserted by his wife, Shrek is impelled to undo the curse by kissing Fiona. Rumpelstiltskin, nevertheless, stands boldly in his way in order to maintain his position as king of Far Far Away.

This hilarious and adorable movie is definitely sure to satisfy audiences of all different age groups, and is a definite must-see amongst high school students looking for a comical reprieve.