Shrek The Third
Running time: 93 minutes
MPAA rating: PG
Just so you where we stand: I adored the first Shrek movie. I own the DVD and have watched it at least a dozen times. The animation, the voice acting, the musical numbers … magic.
Shrek 2 was pretty good, too. The addition of Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots was a stroke of comic genius. And while the sequel wasnt as magical as the original, I still thought it had a lot going for it.
Which brings us to Shrek the Third.
Gah. What a snoozer.
I cant believe that a movie that is so beautifully animated and rendered could be so boring. Even most of the cast sound like theyre reading their lines in their sleep (Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, Im looking in your direction). The jokes are the same tired, rehashed gags weve seen a thousand times. Sure, there were a few times I chuckled, but I didnt have the belly-laughs I got when watching the original.
Shrek the Third has three plots: 1. Shrek (Mike Myers) dealing with the Mega-Angst of becoming a father; 2. The king is dead, and because Shrek has Mega-Angst about becoming king (because for some reason, the kings Daughter By Blood, Fiona, cant become the monarch), he goes in search of Arthur (Timberlake) to take the crown; and 3. Prince Charming plots to assume the thrown while Shrek is away on his Quest, leaving Fiona (Diaz) and a gaggle of princesses to defend the land of Far Far Away.
Thats a lotta plot and it gets in the way of what makes a good Shrek movie. Its the relationship between Shrek and his friends that makes the movies great the comedy of diverse personalities, not self-consciously hip pop culture references.
I really cant recommend that you pay full price to see Shrek the Third. Catch it at a matinee if you simply MUST see it. Otherwise wait for it to hit the dollar theater or home video.
GRADE: C-