Movie Review: Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third if you ask me, is the one kids can most easily understand of the three. It’s not as frantic as the earlier entries and features even more detailed and stupendous artwork and a more conventional plotline.

It’s mano-a-mano – Shrek protecting heir to the throne Artie – from the murderous intention of self-proclaimed king of Far Far Away, Prince Charming, a mama’s boy with an awful personality. (Well done, Rupert Everett!)Shrek’s Scottish accent falls off considerably (Mike Myers!) and to me that’s nearly a deal breaker, if he’s not Scottish or Jerry Lewis, well, who is he?I adore the fairy tale ladies – the vain Snow White, narcoleptic Sleeping Beauty, treacherous Rapunzel, the sweet-natured transvestite with a mean right hook, nice Cinderella and the Old Bag with the rock head. When they get together to whup evil’s ass, it is a proud moment, especially enjoyable with the addition of Led Zeppelin to power them along.Cameron Diaz says she identifies with the character of Mrs. Shrek Fiona more than any other character she’s played. Fiona’s good hearted, wise, soft yet strong and someone you need in your corner- as clever as the boys in Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve, and rallying as the coach in Invincible, she’s a good role model for pro-active girls. And she’s happy with her body.Shrek the Third brings together a real mash up of guest voices, from Justin Timberlake, Cheri Oteri, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Larry King, Regis Philbin, John Krasinski, and Ian McShane. And yet, I’ll bet they never crossed paths, Timberlake and Diaz excluded, because voice artists work alone.Shrek the Third is amiable and loaded with the customary satiric jabs at fairy tales, without going into the cruelty and sadism of some of them, a nice easy afternoon’s pastime. I don’t buy into dire reports that it’s lost the Shrek spirit. While I’m not a giant cartoon fan, Shrek the Third did the trick for me – it is gently entertaining and the artwork is eye popping. Love the witty Far Far Away’s Rodeo Drive like setting.Come on people, lighten up!Shrek the Third
Animated Family Comedy
Written and directed by a load of people
Runtime: 93 minutesMPAA: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action (ed. note…eh?)