Why?

Rating: 4/10 (17 December 2010)

I really really enjoyed the first 'Shrek' film. What I liked about it was that it was edgy and merciless in the hate it harbored for the Disney clichés of fairy tale stories. 'Shrek' was a revolutionary concept. The character genuinely wasn't likable and he genuinely had to fully become a hero before we could like him. It was an adventure film with action and comedy perfectly mixed. I went into 'Shrek 2' reasonably excited, it was serviceable but really it was kind of lifeless. It was essentially a 'meet the in-laws' ordeal with none of the magic or character of the original. 'Shrek the Third' was hugely disappointing. I put off seeing it for the longest time because I feared what it could be and my fears were largely justified. 'Shrek' has essentially become the big cuddly Disney teddy bear he hated.
Where could they bring Shrek as a character? Would it be too much to ask that he go on some sort of adventure? The first 'Shrek' had a thrilling scene with dragons and fighting to compliment the humor. 'Shrek 2' took a stupid approach of a family melodrama involving the in-laws and 'Shrek the Third' takes the next obvious step, baby drama. Wow. I don't necessarily mind this because there is a semi-decent scene where Shrek explains the legacy of being an ogre and how he doesn't want his children to experience it. That is really heartfelt and well thought out. If the film truly wanted to be about baby drama than this was the best way to do it. Instead of going further into this we get jokes about diapers and spit up and the like.
What really gets me about 'Shrek the Third' and even 'Shrek 2' is how loveless Shrek and Fiona's relationship is. They are separated from one another the entire film and it is sufficiently disappointing. Fiona cannot be caged. I really love the character of Fiona, her charm, her spunk, and her self confidence are really encouraging in the face of the negative female stereotypes placed in front of young girls by the Disney corporation. Fiona spends all of 'Shrek the Third' waiting for the man in her life and dealing with stupid female stereotypes and this is disillusioning.