The Boston Globe says of it “the series still favors the jokes.” The Chicago Sun-Times commented that it is “lacking the comic energy of the first brilliant film and not measuring up to the second.”
The film “Shrek the Third” deserves more praise than that.
Completing the Shrek trilogy, it accomplishes a feat that is difficult to do: continue with another good sequel.
The movie starts off with the king of ‘Far Far Away’ not too far away from death lying on his deathbed. His last wishes are that Shrek takes the throne or that another heir takes his place once he dies.
Shrek, with a voice by Mike Myers, is reluctant to be king of ‘Far Far Away’ and decides that he is not the best man, or should we say ogre, for the job.
Looking for a replacement, he tries to find the only other living heir to the throne, which leads him to another adventure.
Elsewhere in ‘Far Far Away’ Prince Charming is planning a coup d’etat of Shrek and Fiona’s happy ending and possible kingdom.
Director Chris Miller has the movie moving fairly well with every storyline filled with jokes and laughter.
Nothing can be missed as it is easy on the eye and is not too complicated to understand.
Antonio Banderas and Eddie Murphy voice Shrek’s loyal sidekicks ‘Puss in Boots’ and ‘Donkey.’ Both provide equal comic relief of different natures that somehow compliment each other.
Puss in Boots has a more sophisticated nature and sly attitude while Donkey is noble at times and bluntly funny. Both set off and help Shrek to find the new heir.
Cameron Diaz gives a convincing performance of Fiona, Shrek’s wife-turned-ogre. As a supporting character she doesn’t have too much of a role but gives her fair share of humor in the film when the women are called forward to play their parts.
The screenplay is complete genius. Not only does the storyline fit everything else that pertains to it, but the individual performances from the characters are well done. The humor involved is a mix of English, poetic and blunt comedy.
The greatest asset to the movie is that it can stand on its own. It doesn’t need a viewing of ‘Shrek’ or ‘Shrek 2’ to understand it and grasp the context of the movie. That’s just how good the movie is.
Hopefully there will be another Shrek in the making.
This movie must be highly recommended to everyone as it passes all criteria in flying colors.
Overall Rating: A
“Shrek the Third” completes the saga of the Shrek series. (Dreamworks Pictures)