Shrek the Third (**)
I am so tempted to open this review by calling this film “Shrek the Turd,” but that would be too easy. There are plenty of items to pooh-pooh in “Shrek the Third,” but I’m adamant when I say I’m truly torn. On one hand, there was much I enjoyed in Shrek’s third trip to the big screen, but on the other, this is another clichéd, poorly constructed sequel seemingly more intent on pilfering the wallets of unsuspecting parents than actually entertaining with fresh comedy.
All the familiar characters from the previous “Shrek” films are back for the third installment and the movie is essentially baked from the same mold as its predecessors. Sadly, this prefabrication actually adds fatigue to the story, as I found myself saying, “Oh, here comes the part where Shrek feels bad he’s being a jerk and they play a sad song,” and “Here comes a peppy tune as we are reminded – again – how much Shrek and Fiona are in love.” That’s not a huge problem, except for the fact that Shrek and Fiona are boring. It’s the new and fringe characters that bring life to the franchise.
“Shrek the Third” opens with Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), his Fairy Godmother mommy long since gone, doing dinner theater for hostile, heckling residents of Far, Far Away – patrons who would rather see Shrek than Charming. Feeling cheated, Charming riles up the baddies at the Poison Apple pub and vows to make Shrek pay for ruining his “happily ever after.”
Shift to Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who are subbing for the King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews) of Far, Far Away. It’s not something Shrek enjoys, but since his father-in-law is dying, it’s the least he can do. When the King finally croaks (no pun intended), his last wish is for Shrek to take over the throne, but also tells him the only other heir is a boy named Arthur (Justin Timberlake). Shrek, not wanting the mantle of king, joins Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss (Antonio Banderas) on another “whirlwind adventure” to locate this long, lost relative and future king.
With the focus away from the been-there-done-that of the first two Shrek movies, the second half of the movie picks up comedic speed and the comedic tennis match between Donkey, Puss and Shrek takes the forefront. This is especially true when Shrek, as he is departing by ship to find Arthur, discovers Fiona is pregnant. Receiving advice from Donkey and Puss, the scene and accompanying dream sequence is one of the most humorous portions of the sequel.
After a short journey, the trio finds Arthur at Worcestershire High School, where “Artie” is the school nerd, picked on by the “jousting team” and loathed by all the girls who like to say “eweth” when they are disgusted. Arthur is excited to be the new king, especially about the castle and all the “princesses,” but he quickly changes his mind when he discovers he wasn’t the first choice. Throw in some fighting with Shrek, a visit with a deranged, no-pants-wearing Merlin (Eric Idle) and it all leads to an inevitable showdown with Charming, who has taken over Far, Far Away since Shrek’s departure.
I like “Shrek the Third,” but I don’t love it. I probably won’t see it again and I probably won’t pay full price to add the DVD to my “Shrek” trilogy. The first half of the movie is slow and old, but the second half is funny and driven by all the supplemental characters such as Donkey, Puss, Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.