Movie Review: Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third

rated PG for crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action

Starring Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Justin Timberlake, John Cleese, and Eric Idle.

2 1/2 out of 5 stars.

It seems that Dreamworks animation is now running out of good ideas. Either that, or Andrew Adamson is the reason why the first two Shreks were so good. I guess it doesn't matter, because both are missing from the latest tale in the Ogre saga. In this round, Shrek Donkey and Puss leave Far, far, away to fetch back Artie, (voiced by J. Timberlake), to take the throne, since Fiona's father has now died. Meanwhile, Prince Charming is back with all of his baddies, trying to kill Shrek and take over Far far away for himself. That is pretty much the extent of the story.

Laughs. This is by far the weakest Shrek movie for jokes. For the most part they weren't that funny or used in the previous two films or both. However, there were some really funny scenes involving Pinnochio, Merlin the magician (brilliantly voiced by Monty Python's Eric Idle), and the fairy tale princesses. Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are probably this films strongest additions, all voiced by SNL alumni. I also laughed at the frog-king death scene. I know that sounds bad but it was terribly funny!

Overall, I think the real problem with this film was that it had way too much Shrek and not enough Donkey and Puss, the true stars of this series. If Andrew Adamson had directed, undoubtedly he would have focused more on these hilarious characters.

Moral. Okay, this is a Shrek movie. There was no language, but expect plenty of innuendoes, vague references to adult matter, and drug content. Other than that, the only potentially offensive thing in this were the gender-bending ugly stepsisters, voiced by Regis Philbin and Larry King.

Overall, I think this is a fun movie, but it lacks something the other two had-originality and cleverness. Hopefully the movie studio can turn this around before Shrek 4 and the upcoming Christmas special. (Yes, both are confirmed, as is a Broadway play).