Continuity mistake: Rumpelstiltskin looks completely different in this movie than he did in the previous film Shrek The Third; Prince Charming momentarily talks to Rumpelstiltskin in the tavern during the third film, and the character looks completely different, has a different voice and different demeanor.
Plot hole: In the second Shrek movie, we find out that Fairy Godmother and the King had a deal that Prince Charming would save Princess Fiona from the keep, hence becoming her true love and breaking the curse. In the fourth movie, we start with Rumple monologuing about how he almost had the Kingdom by signing a deal with the King. Why would the King be so desperate to try and reverse the curse by signing a deal when he knows he has a prior attempt through Prince Charming, assuming it would take the same time for the messenger to return with news about Charming and Fiona either way?
Suggested correction: It is stated in the intro that when "days turned into years" of waiting for a Prince to rescue Princess Fiona, the king and queen resorted to more desperate measures - enter Rumpelstiltskin.
Continuity mistake: When Shrek and Fiona are fighting the dragon, the amount of chain between Shrek and the dragon changes after he wraps the chain around the dragon's tail.
Plot hole: Rumpelstiltskin is at a low point in his life, so he's in the back alley eating from the garbage cans. He gets the idea to trick Shrek so he can take over Far Far Away, and bribes him with a rat cooking in the oven and eyeball martinis. Why is Rumpelstiltskin eating out of the garbage when he has a plump rat with vegetables roasting and eyeball martinis? Even if just the vegetables appealed that's better than garbage.
Continuity mistake: In the scene where Shrek goes back to the swamp after signing the contract, he realizes that Fiona isn't there and pulls out the contract to read it. He then notices something flying overhead and looks up to see the witches. In the next shot, we see no contract in Shrek's open hands. (00:22:30)
Continuity mistake: Shrek puts the poster on the mirror. Between shots it moves closer to the picture frame. (00:08:00)
Continuity mistake: The King and Queen disappear and their crowns fall to the floor. However they (The crowns) appear on Rumpilstilskin's table. (00:28:45)
Continuity mistake: Just before Donkey breaks into "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", Shrek's position in the cage changes instantly. (00:25:15)
Continuity mistake: Fifi the goose changes size throughout the film. From small enough to fit on Rumpelstiltskin's lap, to big enough to pull the cart.
Suggested correction: The goose has magical powers that likely allows it to change size in the film. The scene where the goose jumps on Rumpel's lap is in the past, also. So likely when the goose was a lot younger.
Continuity mistake: In the scene when Pinocchio arrives to request Rumpelstiltskin to convert him into a real kid there's nothing on the table but goblets and kind of cakes, after Rumpelstiltskin asks to the wolf his wig, he suddenly takes the contract from the table and on it appears the feather and ink that Pinocchio uses to sign the contract.
Continuity mistake: Shrek picks up the tissue with the single F on. However the tissue changes position between shots. Note the F. (00:37:40)
Continuity mistake: Rumplestiltskin calls Fifi at the start and plucks a feather from the goose. In the next shot, it is perfectly sharpened and ready to use. (00:03:10)
Continuity mistake: When Shrek is having supper with Rumple Stilskin, Rumple is taking the meat from the oven. There are no additional plates. But when Rumple breaks the plate in anger, cutting the meat he turns to Shrek serving the meat on a solid plate.
Continuity mistake: When Shrek does a cannonball jump in the pig pen, the wider shot doesn't show the pigs anywhere in the pen after they ran away.
Continuity mistake: When Shrek and Fiona are fighting just before the Ogre uprising, the scratches on Fiona's shied constantly change. (00:54:00)
Continuity mistake: It was morning when Shrek enters the castle, because Donkey shouted to Shrek, "and find us some breakfast." And after leaving the castle, Donkey found a waffle and got pulled toward the ogres' hiding place. Once inside the hiding place, Shrek tried to take Donkey away from becoming a "dinner" by saying "Your dinner is my friend." Immediately Fiona showed up as an ogre, which confirms that it has suddenly become night. (00:36:30 - 00:41:05)
