Shrek the Third

Rating: 5/10 (29 November 2007)

The first two films were packed with plenty of gags and wit for all the family, but I have to say this second sequel, you can tell they are struggling to keep it fresh, but it is still a fun film. Basically King Harold (John Cleese), now a toad, has fallen ill, and until he gets better Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) have to take care of all his jobs, e.g. knighting people, launching ships and dressing like royals, all going disastrously wrong. Before the King dies he mentions the only other person besides Shrek suitable to run the kingdom, Arthur (Justin Timberlake), in Worcestershire. So while Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) set off to go and find him, a vengeful Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and many fairytale villains are storming the kingdom to get their happily ever after that was taken from them. In the end, all the villains are defeated and Charming seems to have been killed, Artie, having doubts earlier, does decide to become king, Puss and Donkey, having their bodies swapped, go back to normal, and Shrek and Fiona return to the swamp with three ogre triplets. Also starring Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian, Eric Idle as Merlin, Cody Cameron as Pinocchio and others, Larry King as Doris (Jonathan Ross replaced him in Shrek 2), Cheri Oteri as Belle, Maya Rudolph as Rapunzel, Amy Sedaris as Cinderella and Conrad Vernon as Gingerbread Man and others. The good jokes include the King that won't die (three times), the song "Live and Let Die" for the funeral, the baby nightmare (including the puking), and a great song at the end by Murphy and Banderas, "Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself)". It may have the good voices and the still great computer wonderful animation, but it is not as good as the previous two, but still a fun animated fantasy comedy adventure. Worth watching!