Shrek the Third

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the sequel Shrek 3. Shrek 2 was the #1 animated moneymaker of all time and Shrek 1 was a smash with critics and audiences, so naturally they’re gonna make a third. And I respect that. I mean, I gave the first Shrek an A, the second an A-, and this one a B+. But if things turn out the way I predict it will, Shrek 4 will net a D. In the hands of Sky High/Deuce Bigalow director Mike Mitchell, disaster is imminent.

O, out of the depths I cry to you, DreamWorks Animation Studios.

DO – NOT – FINANCE – SHREK 4!

Ahem…Sorry. L My conscience took over. The new Shrek 3 is a wonderful movie that delivers kids-oriented jokes and pokes at adults and fairy tales like a Tommy gun. Everyone’s back, reprising their roles. And while the director of the first two Shrek’s, was making the Chronicles of Narnia, fellow animators Chris Miller and Raman Hui took the helm. And well, to be frank, their talent is obvious.

I will admit, the trailers for Shrek 3 looked terrible. The “My butt’s itching up a storm” line was stuck in my head for Lord knows how long. I read Roger Ebert’s 2.5/4 review (whilst he gave Shrek a 4/4) thinking, oh, boy. This will be a fiasco. So I reluctantly walked into the theater and was pleasantly surprised.

Ogres Shrek and Fiona are married, their friend Donkey has kids (they are absolutely adorable), and generally are living happily ever after. But this is interesting because it shows what happens after the good guys live happily ever after. Meanwhile, the evil Prince Charming has been reduced from the would-be heir to Far, Far Away to having a gig as an actor in a resturant, a change that doesn’t sit well with him.

When Fiona’s father, King Harold, kicks the bucket, it occurs to Shrek and Fiona that they need to find a new king, and quite frankly, Shrek doesn’t want the responsibility. Shrek is told of a new heir to the throne, a teenager named Arthur. So after Shrek, the loud-mouthed sidekick Donkey, and the ever-cute cat Puss in Boots set out to find Arthur (or, Artie) so he can become king. And, well, to be honest…Artie’s a dork.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Fiona, well, is…pregnant. (Another terrifying undertaking for Shrek). Prince Charming rounds up an army of villains to raid Far, Far Away. To take back the town, Fiona teams up with Queen Lillian, Snow White, Cinderella and the gang. But how long can they hold the town before Shrek convinces Artie to become king?

It kinda feels like the makers are running out of ideas, and if they do make Shrek 4 they oughta make it a prequel about Shrek’s early exploits before he meets Donkey and Fiona. I really, really liked this one. Sure, the predecessors are better by a lot, but that’s like comparing The Wizard of Oz to Gone With The Wind. The voiceovers are hilarious. Plus, talk-show host Regis Philbin, mega-pop star Justin Timberlake and British comedian Eric Idle are among the additions to the all-star cast. While their characters are generally brief, they are a worthy addition to the Shrek universe.

So, I thoroughly enjoyed this one, but the franchise should stop here. B+