Cinematical

How many computer-animated satires of fairy tales can we possibly tolerate? Lionsgate is hoping at least one more since they have acquired Happily N'Ever After for distribution in North America. The film is a version of the Cinderella story and takes place in Fairy Tale Land, where a war is brewing between good and evil characters. Voicing these characters are Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze, Jr., George Carlin, Patrick Warburton, Andy Dick and Wallace Shawn.

Shrek was witty enough in its poking fun of of fairy tales, and even went a bit too far with the jokes, in my opinion. Since then Shrek 2 and Hoodwinked have further driven the gags into the ground, and I can only expect this movie to be more of the same. Is it necessary to keep ripping off Shrek? Considering the box office for Hoodwinked wasn't anywhere near what the two Shrek films were, we know that kids aren't simply into the premise. This time the copy has more in common with the original, though, as Happily was produced by Shrek producer John H. Williams. We'll just have to wait until early next year to see if there's any interest in this, but my guess is the kids will just wait for Shrek the Third, which comes out in May.