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Craig Younkin
Movie Review
Shrek the Third
By Craig Younkin Published May 19, 2007
US Release: May 18, 2007
Directed by: Raman Hui Chris Miller
Starring: Antonio Banderas , Julie Andrews , John Cleese , Rupert Everett
PG some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action
Running Time: 93 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $320,706,665
Directed by: Raman Hui Chris Miller
Starring: Antonio Banderas , Julie Andrews , John Cleese , Rupert Everett
PG some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action
Running Time: 93 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $320,706,665
C-
It's a dull and lifeless mess with almost zero entertainment value save for the stop motion animation, which still looks amazing on the big screen.
"Shrek the Third" is cashing in. There are no more clever ideas or inspired comedy to be found in this third and meager flick in the franchise. It's a dull and lifeless mess with almost zero entertainment value save for the stop motion animation, which still looks amazing on the big screen.
The story is lacking any sort of wonder and enchantment this time around though. The King of Far Far Away (voiced by John Cleese) is dead and it is up to Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) to either become king himself or get Fiona's cousin Arthur (voiced by Justin Timberlake) to take over. Reluctant to do the former, Shrek, Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) and Puss N' Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) try to find and convince Arthur to take over the Royal throne. Shrek must also contend with the idea of fatherhood, since Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) is now pregnant. She has problems of her own, however, when Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett) and a group of disgruntled fairy tale villains take over the kingdom in Shrek's absence.
The jokes are less satirical in this one and center more on cheap sight gags, like a scene where Fiona, Cinderella, and Snow White turn into Far Far Away's answer to "Charlie's Angels." Prince Charming does dinner theater, and Donkey and Puss N' Boots swap bodies because of some magic spell. This movie might make you smirk a little but it's too lazy to take any of this to a point of being laugh-out-loud.
The series is going in the wrong direction. Shrek is loved and isn't conflicted now. His only real worry is becoming a father. As I was watching the movie, I was wondering how many kids actually cared about that particular concern, or knew it was a concern at all. Guess what kids, you scared the shit out of mom and dad long before you were even born! I get that animated movies are trying to touch parents as well but when you alienate the kids, you're losing the battle. All I heard from my audience was a lot of whining (mostly coming from the kids, not me) for candy or trips to the bathroom.
"Shrek the Third" will make money and there will be a fourth, and much like the fourth "Spider-Man" I'll welcome it with open arms. It's unfortunate that both series have taken tumbles, but with any luck, both will find their footing again.
The story is lacking any sort of wonder and enchantment this time around though. The King of Far Far Away (voiced by John Cleese) is dead and it is up to Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) to either become king himself or get Fiona's cousin Arthur (voiced by Justin Timberlake) to take over. Reluctant to do the former, Shrek, Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) and Puss N' Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) try to find and convince Arthur to take over the Royal throne. Shrek must also contend with the idea of fatherhood, since Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) is now pregnant. She has problems of her own, however, when Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett) and a group of disgruntled fairy tale villains take over the kingdom in Shrek's absence.
The jokes are less satirical in this one and center more on cheap sight gags, like a scene where Fiona, Cinderella, and Snow White turn into Far Far Away's answer to "Charlie's Angels." Prince Charming does dinner theater, and Donkey and Puss N' Boots swap bodies because of some magic spell. This movie might make you smirk a little but it's too lazy to take any of this to a point of being laugh-out-loud.
The series is going in the wrong direction. Shrek is loved and isn't conflicted now. His only real worry is becoming a father. As I was watching the movie, I was wondering how many kids actually cared about that particular concern, or knew it was a concern at all. Guess what kids, you scared the shit out of mom and dad long before you were even born! I get that animated movies are trying to touch parents as well but when you alienate the kids, you're losing the battle. All I heard from my audience was a lot of whining (mostly coming from the kids, not me) for candy or trips to the bathroom.
"Shrek the Third" will make money and there will be a fourth, and much like the fourth "Spider-Man" I'll welcome it with open arms. It's unfortunate that both series have taken tumbles, but with any luck, both will find their footing again.
Craig's Grade: C-
Craig's Overall Grading: 340 graded movies
| A | 10.9% | |
| B | 41.8% | |
| C | 31.8% | |
| D | 15.3% | |
| F | 0.3% |
'Shrek 3' Articles
- Lee's review B-
May 18, 2007 Returns with the same twisted sense of humor from the original. You can tell the grownup boys behind DreamWorks are having a lot of fun with their pot shots. -- Lee Tistaert
