November 28, 2007
Shrek the Halls is an American animated Christmas comedy television special that premiered on the American television network ABC on November 28, 2007. The thirty minute Christmas special was co-written and directed by Gary Trousdale and produced by DreamWorks Animation. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas reprise their roles from the feature films. This Christmas special takes place between Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. It grossed $16 million in home sales.
The title is derived from the title of the Christmas carol Deck the Halls.
Storyline
Sometime after the events of the third film, Shrek is quietly living in the swamp with his family when the Christmas season arrives. Under Donkey's urging, Shrek reluctantly promises Princess Fiona a special Christmas surprise. Shrek goes to the local bookstore in Far Far Away to try to find a present for Fiona, but since he does not know what Christmas is all about, the shopkeeper gives Shrek a copy of Christmas For Village Idiots, a step by step guide to celebrating the holiday. Shrek proceeds to follow the book's advice by decorating the house and getting a tree so he can spend a quiet Christmas Eve with his family, but Donkey brings the entire "family" to the swamp, spoiling Shrek's plans.
As Shrek tries to recite "A Visit from St. Nicholas", Donkey, Puss in Boots, and Gingy interrupt and each tell their own Christmas story. Donkey tells of a Christmas parade passing by the swamp and licking an enormous waffle Santa, and absentmindedly starts licking Shrek's foot. Puss's version of the Santa Claus story ends with playing with the tassel on Santa's hat, while in reality he is playing with a bauble. Gingy tells a horrifying story about how his girlfriend Suzy was eaten by Santa Claus. Donkey calls it ridiculous, and finds Shrek's Christmas for Village Idiots book. A fight breaks out over the book and Shrek's supper is destroyed. After lighting his butt on fire, Shrek finally loses his temper and ends up ejecting his friends from his house, including Donkey, who denounces him as "Ebenezer Shrek" in the heat of the argument. With their Christmas spirit ruined, Fiona is upset at Shrek's behavior and leaves with the ogre triplets. She catches up to their friends and explains to Donkey what Shrek had wanted for Christmas.
Shrek, remorseful at what he has done, catches up with the group and apologizes for lashing out at them earlier. He then tells everyone this is also his first Christmas, since ogres do not celebrate anything, this causes Donkey to realize his own mistake while apologizing to Shrek for disturbing him with those previous early announcements for Christmas while jeopardizing Shrek's and his family's first Christmas moment, while Shrek forgives him. They return to the swamp and Shrek tells his own version of "The Night Before Christmas", featuring himself as "Ogre Claus". Soon, they hear bells and go outside to see Santa and his reindeer, although Gingy, still afraid of Santa, runs back inside in fear. The special ends with Santa using his magic to put ogre ears on the moon.
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Baby Hiccups PE144901
- Hollywoodedge, Baby Sucking Pacifie PE145401
- Hollywoodedge, Cat Domestic Meow Ang AT010501
- Hollywoodedge, Cat Domestic Meow Ang AT010602
- Hollywoodedge, Catfssst Yowl Hiss CRT012603 (This is the only DreamWorks Animation production to use this sound effect.)
- Hollywoodedge, Cats Fighting Loud Sc PE917007/Cats Two Angry YowlsD PE022601
- Hollywoodedge, Fart 4 Very Short High PE139201
- Hollywoodedge, Man Yodeling 2 Types CRT029601 (2nd yodel)
- Hollywoodedge, Short Squeal Bat Rat CRT010902 (Used for a possum during the "Christmas Wrapping" scene.)
- Hollywoodedge, Sword Multiple Swish PE244301
- Pro Sound Effects, Dronkey, Wing Flaps, Leathery, Half Donkey, Half Dragon Creature
- Pro Sound Effects, Giant Burp, Long Belch with Hurricane Wind (Used for Shrek as an Ogre Claus in his version of "The Night Before Christmas".)
- Pro Sound Effects, Santa Magic, Descending Bell Tone, Glittery, Ringing
- SKYWALKER, FOOTSTEP - SHREK'S FOOTSTEPS
- SKYWALKER SNOW SOUNDS
- Sound Ideas, KETTLE, STOVE TOP - HEAT WATER, BOIL, STEAM WHISTLE IN STOVE TOP KETTLE
- Unknown Sound Effects Library, Dinosaur Roaring (Used twice for Santa Claus in Gingy's version of "The Night Before Christmas".)