review of shrek 4d

[primusjim]

Lame.

I went to the annual passholders preview of the new shrek attraction at Universal studios tonight. I was very disappointed. First off, I find it amazing that they use every chance they get to make fun of disney, while at the same time ripping off every single 4d gag from what disney has already done.



*possible spoilers below*




I'm serious, I don't want to ruin it for you.






The preshow was actually pretty well done, but they tell you that you are headed into the auditorium to be tortured, then they drop that idea immediately and it isn't mentioned at all when you are seated.
Barely any of the 3d shots are effective, and only one item seems to actually come off the screen towards you. (the spear on the top of the statue in the graveyard.)
The moving seats are pointless as well. When they move in reaction to what is on the screen in a first person view, it works. But, when you're watching the action in a profile view and your seat is making you feel like you're riding a horse, it's just annoying.
They use the water effect about five times in all. Lame.
They use the rat tail effect from HISTA for spiders. You see spiders and feel tails on your legs. Couldn't they have modified this to make it feel like spider legs moving up your calf?
There are plot problems too. In the movie, Farquad was only interested in Fiona so he could be king, and he was repulsed when he saw her as a ogress, but in the attraction he is suddenly in love with her, even though she's still an ogress.
Oh well, at least I have Space to look forward too. As soon as they open it up to all CM's, I'm there.

 

[kvan]

thanks for the report,

feel sad about the bad experience,

 

[RozFan]

Oh well, they can't please everyone.

 

[Brett]

I never really liked Shrek anyways! Sounds like it's not even as good as the Terminator 3-D.

 

[rocketman23]

I liked it better than most of the FL 3D shows, save Muppets and maybe TTBAB. It was good, and I hope will be improved upon effect wise. Here were my 4 main contentions:
1. Plot skipping of the dungeon, but I can live with some inconsistancy.
2. The theatre was too small. This will make for long lines.
3. There was no smell when I felt there should've been, such as in the onion scene. Hopefully this is a glitch the night I went and it will be fixed.
4. Cool air in fire scenes. That speaks for itself, hopefully this will be fixed.

I liked it on the whole, probably one of the funnier shows out there, particularly the preshow. The film is well put together and gets a lot in within the alotted time. The moving seats work for the film and the lighting helps, especially in the waterfall sequence.

 

[NakedMickey]

I saw it on Friday. I wasn't expecting too much and left satifisfied. Don't go in with high expectations, but just expect to have a chuckle or two. It's a really cute show that everyone can enjoy and the little poke's at Disney are well done and very cute.

Also the Lord Farraquad face character that was running around was very funny and entertaining. He was mean to all the little kids and that's they way it should be!

 

[Epcot is my fav]

I have a question.... someone said there were posters that made fun of disney...what were they of?

i never liked Shrek so OH WELL......lol

 

[Epcot is my fav]

Originally posted by Epcot is my fav
I have a question.... someone said there were posters that made fun of disney...what were they of?

i never liked Shrek so OH WELL......lol

NEVERMIND...i found it....

From pictures I've seen, one makes fun of the Tiki Room. It says something like, "Visit the Enchanted TICK Room next to Parasiteland...This show will really get under your skin". It has a picture of a wooden totem pole made from Shrek and Donkey. Another one pokes fun at Dumbo...it says something like "You will hurl on the Teacups after flying DonKo" (the flying Donkey) and has a picture of Donkey in the same pose as the Dumbo Elephants have on the ride.

 

[CTXRover]

Originally posted by rocketman23
3. There was no smell when I felt there should've been, such as in the onion scene. Hopefully this is a glitch the night I went and it will be fixed.

I could be wrong, but it has been reported elsewhere that the smells that were originally to be part of the "4D" effect were cut for some reason (I think they couldn't get it to work right).

For those interested, www.orlandorocks.com have several pictures of the new attraction, including the queue, the preshow dungeon room, the actual theater and the gift shop ) ).

From those pics, I wonder what happened, since the rumors about this new attraction talked about the "heavy themeing" that it was to have. The queue was rumored to be heavily themed. If the queue in the pics is it (perhaps there is more???), shields and painted rocks seem very simple compared to themed queues elsewhere (including Universal's own IOA). The preshow dungeon looks cool. I like the pigs in the three cages according to what they lived in (straw, wood, brick), but its painfully obvious they are just "cages" around a video screen. The auditorium seems VERY simple. Look at the themeing in ITTBAB theater or Muppets Theater and this almost looks depressing (of course, the actual "movie" and the moving seats seem to more than make up for this simplicity, and maybe that is what they were going for). I wonder why the castle/dungeon themeing end with the preshow and not continue into the theater? The theater looks like a small average movie theater (scratch that, even my local multiplex has more "themeing"). I hate to speak without seeing it first hand, and I urge those who have to correct me, but I think it is extremely obvious why this thing only took 6 months when Disney is spending over a year and half to do their new 3D show (given the rumors about this show hold true).

From those who have seen it, Shrek 4D sounds like a very nice addition, but not a major new attraction. I've seen mostly mediocre reviews on here and other sites. Some think it is great and really like it and look forward to seeing it again, while others thought it was kind of "lame" or "poorly done". No one seems really blown away by it. I'm kind of surprised since Shrek is decently popular and the moving seats sound like a riot. Maybe its just that people have become jaded to the *now* overused 4D effects. I'm sure people will wait in long lines for it though (and they better be prepared, considering how small the theater looks and the running time of the movie being over 10 minutes, if I remember)

But, to those who care lol: ), I'm going to wait to make my decision on whether this show is any good or not after I see it myself.

 

[Captain Cab]

It's a shame that the show isn't living up to all of its hype. Hopefully Universal will fix most of those problems before the official opening date. Atleast we still have the new Mummy ride to look forward to next spring.

 

[Brooke]

I thought it was a lot of fun. I was one of the first ten people in line and I wasn't dissapointed. I might have enjoyed it more than the average person because Shrek is one of my favorite movies of all time but I think it's a good attraction, and HELLO it replaced Hitchcock so ofcourse it is improving on the show in the building before it.

My Fav 3-D Shows Now Are:
1) shrek and ittbab (tie)
2) muppets
3) hista

 

[The_CEO]

Does universal not realize they just remind customers there is a Disney when they do that? If anything it makes them want to spend money at Disney and not Universal. Yes its funny but think about it.

 

[Justin St]

I dont know what you guys are talking about. I went to the Annual Pass preview and talk to many people who said that Sherk is now the best Attraction at USF. I loved it and I hate 3-D shows.

 

[AndyMagic]

I also am confused as to these reviews. The only place that I see giving it bad reviews is here. Seeing as how this is a Disney site, it makes sense. Everyone I have talked to has said it is one of the best attractions in USF. And let's not forget that the attraction itself is still in technical rehearsal and many of the effects are still being perfected by Universal Creative.

 

[Al]

Apart from the reviews here, all I have heard are rave reviews about it I think I will have to judge for myself...one day :lol: I too have heard many people say it is the best attraction in USF (either it is really good.........or they don't think much of the park :lol: )

 

[CTXRover]

Several posters at IOACentral have also expressed less than great reviews of it. Its not just here at a "Disney" site. Don't forget, only those willing to purchase premium Annual passes to Universal Orlando (thus, these are people who really like the place) have seen it, as well as employees. As I've said, some people absolutely love it and others hate it. This is really true of many attractions, so it isn't surprising. However, I should note that there have been many more positive than negative reviews, thus far, and only people willing to post have expressed their opinion, so it isn't fair to judge it based on a few posts here and at other places I do find it odd though that a good number of "reviewers" rave about the preshow and don't mention much about the actual show other than it is very "clear and crisp". I hope the actual show lives up to the reported "hilarious" preshow. Again, I shall wait to make my own decision after I see it myself

I heard mostly rave reviews from the Hollywood version and was surprised to begin to hear negative reviews on the Orlando version. I think there could be two possibilites. First, the theater in Orlando seems very small. I can't say for sure if it is any smaller than Hollywood's, but at that size, a lot of the "3D" effects don't really come off the screen as they might in a larger theater. Second, some have stated they believe the effects weren't working right during the recent AP preview.

 

[primusjim]

I went into the shrek ride with an open mind, but it just had nothing new to offer. The whole thing is childish, whether it's shrek farting on the stone dragon, or Katzenburg using every opportunity to take jabs at his old company.
I went to Jimmy Nuetron that night for the first time too, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the whole chicken dance thing was brilliant, and i think the Shrek team should have spent more time trying to break new ground instead of just carbon copying what had been done before. I'm sure that when Mickey's Philharmagic opens, it will have something new to offer. It's too bad, because there is some potential with this attraction, if they carried the preshow theming and storyline over to the auditorium, and cut down on some of the extremely overused effects it could be good.
It's scary, because I'm finding out how messed up Universal's process is for working on new attractions is because of one of my good friends who is working on Mummy. It's amazing that rides like MIB and Spider-Man came together as well as they did.

 

[pyschotropic]

That's dissapointing to hear that Shrek is not living up to it's reputation however keep in mind that it is still in need of test and adjust. The pictures I had seen of the preshow looked pretty cool
especially Farquads ghost is that a Peppers ghost effect by the way? Their is still yet another amazing step in the 3d/4d theatre world Im surprised has not been used yet something called Cave technology imagine your theatre has a screen not only infront of you, but above you below you and off to the sides creating a total immersion into a 3d world I wouldn't be suprised to see it though within the next 5 years or so!

 

[Johnny 5]

here is a postive review.

"I truly feel that Shrek 4D will become USF’s #1 Ride. Many feel that the Mummy will become USF #1 Ride and for the Thrill Seekers “The Mummy’s Revenge” will more then likely be #1. Aside from thrills Shrek 4D offers a fun and unique perspective to 3D Films and is a fun show that everyone from all ages can enjoy aside from the Mummy which will limit people due to health problems and old age. Shrek has it all, it’s well decorated, well themed, it’s funny, is action packed and above all a great family ride that should not be missed.

What is great about this attraction aside from its stunning visual, audio, and sensory effects it won’t bore you and will more then likely not get old. What I mean by this is for me T2:3D has gotten boring, it’s not something I go on anymore, and it’s only because of the boring preshows and the slow start up to the real excitement. Boring preshows and a slow start up will make you loose interest in the show all together so when you see the actual show it doesn't meet your expectations.

Shrek is not like that; this ride starts out fun from the second you step into the line. The fun and laughs don’t end; The fun just gets better and better. Then when you think the fun is over you enter the store and find more laughs and fun. This will make you want to go on over and over again and leave you wanting to come back and ride it again. How do I know? This is how I feel; I want to go back on again right now. You also don't have to see the 1st Shrek to understand the story plot of the ride, it is all explained very well in the preshow before the actual show. However if you want to know more about Sherk check out www.shrek.com

The basic plot begins after Shrek ends where Fiona and Shrek get married and ride off into the sunset. However Lord Farquaad will not let these 2 ogres live happily ever after, yes, yes he did die at the end of Shrek. Coming back from the dead as a ghost he has set out to get his wife back. Shrek, Donkey Fiona & Dragon believe is gone forever and have no clue at all he is back. While on the honeymoon Fiona is kidnapped and Shrek and Donkey go after the kidnappers to find out who wanted to kidnap her and why. Do all fairy tales have happy endings? Can the hero really die? Can a ghost be killed? If you want to find what happens there is one place to go Universal Studios Shrek 4D."

 

[Johnny 5]

Originally posted by primusjim
Lame.

I went to the annual passholders preview of the new shrek attraction at Universal studios tonight. I was very disappointed. First off, I find it amazing that they use every chance they get to make fun of disney, while at the same time ripping off every single 4d gag from what disney has already done.



*possible spoilers below*




I'm serious, I don't want to ruin it for you.






The preshow was actually pretty well done, but they tell you that you are headed into the auditorium to be tortured, then they drop that idea immediately and it isn't mentioned at all when you are seated.
Barely any of the 3d shots are effective, and only one item seems to actually come off the screen towards you. (the spear on the top of the statue in the graveyard.)
The moving seats are pointless as well. When they move in reaction to what is on the screen in a first person view, it works. But, when you're watching the action in a profile view and your seat is making you feel like you're riding a horse, it's just annoying.
They use the water effect about five times in all. Lame.
They use the rat tail effect from HISTA for spiders. You see spiders and feel tails on your legs. Couldn't they have modified this to make it feel like spider legs moving up your calf?
There are plot problems too. In the movie, Farquad was only interested in Fiona so he could be king, and he was repulsed when he saw her as a ogress, but in the attraction he is suddenly in love with her, even though she's still an ogress.
Oh well, at least I have Space to look forward too. As soon as they open it up to all CM's, I'm there.

bad mouthing shrek will get you a "Flogging". making fun of disney is the best part of the film. it's about time disney got was coming to them for all the thousands of jabs they shot at universal. i loved the ride i think its better then all the other rides at ioa and usf combined. i'll even say it's better then any ride in florida since i haven't been outside florida i can't say the best in the world.