Wolfie... do you have a wig that signifies that I'm pretty content?

Rating: 7/10 (25 July 2010)

I should perhaps say right off the bat that I did not catch the third one(I love the original, and I like the second a lot). Everything I heard about it indicated that it was crap, so I skipped it. I'll be honest and say that this didn't grab my attention. At first, I wasn't going to go to the theater for it(I don't often go out of my way to watch anything animated, anyway). People told me it was worth it(if they weren't necessarily ecstatic about it), and the rating is decent on here. I'm glad I went. First off, the 3D is great, it doesn't get gimmicky so often that it's bothersome and it is an overall pleasant viewing experience. I would definitely say to go for that version. There is flight and similar things, as well as build-up of atmosphere, establishment of tone, etc. where it adds that extra layer, and these are quite effective. You feel like you're along for the ride, never overwhelmed and certainly not bored. The drama works throughout. When this goes for getting us emotionally involved, it nails it. It is exciting when it means to be. Sweet, not sappy, when that is appropriate. The relationship between Shrek and Fiona just works. You may already know the plot. It's your basic It's A Wonderful Life concept, one of the popular ideas(having appeared in a ton of shows with relatively little alteration to it), where our favorite ogre is suddenly in a world where he doesn't exist, and thus no one recognizes him. Overall, it's predictable, but there are surprises along the way, and it's not dull at any point. The comedy works two times out of three, and relatively seldom does anything fall embarrassingly flat on its face(there are some forced ones, mind you), if it isn't uproarious laughter that often. It's about as you'd expect, with cleverness and verbal material, plays on words, silliness, the occasional gross-out gag or anachronism joke, popular in many of these, I guess since Aladdin. The cast returns, and the new ones are good(first time I've found Robinson amusing, though it is also my first real exposure to him, other than trailers and interviews, where he leaves me cringing), if it is criminal to give Jane Lynch, and, to a lesser extent, Kathy Griffin, so few lines! We meet a handful of new characters(including one or two memorable ones) as familiar ones are pushed into the background. This is a nice way to end the series. I don't think there is anywhere interesting left to go(and if they write in more Faustian deals surrounding if Fiona is rescued from the keep or not, I demand that they file creative bankruptcy). To anyone else who may be cautious because this is done by the director of Deuce Bigalow and Surviving Christmas(which I hear is horrible; the novel's fine), don't worry. This is actually less dirty than the 2nd one. There is a bit of cartoon violence and a little mild language in this. I recommend this to fans of the first two who want a dependable closing chapter. 7/10