The computer animated comedy saga continues in this third entry in the Shrek series. Like the first two Shrek films, this movie's foundation is in the world of fairy tales and myths.
The new adventure takes us on an epic journey to the kingdom of Far Far Away where King Harold the frog dies and Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are told they must take the throne and rule. Shrek is reluctant and Fiona thinks it's time to start a family and become more settled into mainstream society rather than living in the swamp.
But Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) storms the city, leading an army of villians such as Captain Hook (Ian McShane), Mabel (Regis Philbin) the bad Ugly Stepsister as well as The Wicked Queen, a Cyclops, Rumpelstiltskin, and walking trees. The now pregnant Fiona, her mother Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), and Doris the good Ugly Stepsister (Larry King) recruit four of Fiona's closest princess friends, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Cinderella to help them hold off Prince Charming's quest for the throne, with help from Shrek's friends, Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss-In-Boots (Antonio Banderas), Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs (voices by Cody Cameron), the Big Bad Wolf (Aaron Warner), and the Gingerbread Man (Conrad Vernon). The most promising candidate for the throne is Fiona's rebellious cousin Arthur/Artie (Justine Timberlake), so Shrek and Fiona must foil Prince Charming's siege and instate Arthur as King.
The final showdown of this swashbuckling movie is fun and exciting, but I found that the film dragged along in the beginning with too much dialogue. I guess it's hard to sustain a certain high level of consistency in sequels, but this is the lesser of the three episodes. Meanwhile, the soundtrack, showcasing such performers as The Eels, The Ramones, Led Zeppelin, Fergie, Wings, Matt White, Wolfmother, Trevor Hall, Harry Chapin, and Macy Gray, is great. I'm sure children from the ages of 4 to 16 will find this a fun film, but in my opinion it has lost its luster. I wonder if Shrek 4 in 2010 will be any better?
Directed by: Chris Miller
Running time: 93 minutes
Release date: May 18, 2007
Genre: Animation/Comedy
Distributor: Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks
MPAA Rating: PG-13
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