Shrek the Third (2007) starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese directed by Chris Miller, Raman Hui Movie Review

Shrek the Third (2007)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Shrek the Third (2007) starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz

A Third Too Much

When his father-in-law, the King of Far Far Away dies Shrek finds himself as the heir to the throne. But Shrek isn't keen on the idea and would rather return to his swamp with the pregnant Fiona. So with the help of Donkey and Puss in Boots sets out tracking down Artie the legitimate heir to the throne. But whilst Shrek is busy trying to find Artie, Prince Charming has joined forces with a bunch of criminals with a plan to stage a coup so that he can become King.

Let me tell you now "Shrek the Third" isn't a bad movie, it puts many an animation in the shade but compared to the previous two movies it isn't up to the same high standards. But before I get to what's wrong with the movie I have to say as a distracting comedy for children I am sure it still works. It brings back those recognizable characters we have grown to love, it recreates and updates much of the humour which made those movies entertaining and basically ticks most of the boxes when it comes to making an animation set on entertaining a young crowd.

But here is the problem with "Shrek the Third", too many characters spreading things out too thinly. In a way it was expected because they needed to introduce new characters in order to make a new storyline but with the original characters as well as some from the second movie plus the newer ones it becomes too crowded. And sadly for adults that doesn't work because the enjoyment of the Shrek movies was Shrek, Donkey and Fiona and so having to give time to these other characters dilutes the heart of the movie.

Ironically the actual storyline itself is not bad, yes Shrek, Donkey as well as Puss in Boots end up on another quest but quests have room for amusing escapades. Whether or not the whole subplot surrounding Prince Charming is needed is another matter as it is one of the reasons why the heart of the movie ends up diluted.

What this all boils down to is that "Shrek the Third" isn't a bad movie and I am sure for young children it is a lot of fun. But for grown ups it spreads itself too thinly between the original characters and the new ones which takes the heart out of the franchise.


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