Getting in Its Own Way

Rating: 7/10 (3 June 2007)

"Shrek the Third" is funny and has big laughs throughout, and one gets the feel that this installment of the big green guy's story is completely unnecessary. The cryptic symptom of Shrek's demise is somewhat insidious. All the big laughs come from the supporting characters namely Pinocchio (Cody Cameron) and the Ginger Bread Man (Conrad Vernon). Justin Timberlake voices a great turn as Artie, heir to Far Far Away Throne. He has a great scene where he says, "Sometimes we all get in our own way" This wonderful sentiment is so misplaced in this feeble attempt to empower faith in oneself. Also the movie should have heeded its own advice. "Shrek" the first was endearing in its message of seeing beyond appearances and finding the value of a person's or ogre's soul. "Shrek" also had a great sense of humor about life and itself. Apparently, the makers of "Shrek the Third" have forgotten this legacy. And there are too many involved. Chris Miller is director along with co-director Raman Hui. Still based on the original book by William Steig, there are a horde of writers: Jeff Price, Peter Seaman, J. David Stern, David Weiss, and Jon Zack. Consequently, "Shrek the Third" is blurred. The movie is funny; however, the laughs are of the sitcom nature. Some of the gags themselves are bewildering. For example, the extended death scene of King Harold (John Cleese) gets old until he finally "croaks", so to speak. The playing of Paul McCartney and Wings' "Live and Let Die" at the funeral is out of place and irrelevant. Also who is the main audience of "Shrek 3"? Old people like me or kids? Kids don't know Wings, much less The Beatles. "Shrek the Third" is perfunctory funny, but the fairy tale well has gone dry. Rather the writers did not create something fresh, instead polishing a retread.
As "Shrek the Third" opens we find Prince Charming (very funny Rupert Everett) doing very bad dinner theater. Shrek (Mike Myers) and Finona (Cameron Diaz) are filling in for the royal duties of Far Far Away Kingdom, and not really having a good time. So when the King finally dies, Shrek is next in line to the Throne. Unless Shrek can convince Prince Artie (Justin Timberlake) to assume the kingly duties, he will be unable to return to his beloved swamp. Thus, Shrek along with sidekicks Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) embark on mission to retrieve young Artie. Meanwhile, Fiona and mother Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) remain in Far Far Away. Fiona also confesses to Shrek before he leaves, that he will soon be a father. Shrek outwardly does not assume the tower of fatherhood. A ridiculous subplot involves Prince Charming's claim to the Throne. High jinx abound, and there are some touching heart to heart conversations between Shrek and Artie. Unfortunately, nothing really special distinguishes this third go round of the lovable Ogre. The supporting characters seem to corner the market on all the funny lines. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas are all great as Shrek, Donkey, and Puss. Cameron Diaz seems relegated to the sidelines in this outing. Rupert Everett provides comic relief as the totally self absorbed and clueless Prince Charming. Perhaps, the movie's only freshness comes from Justin Timberlake as Artie.
Other than Timberlake's Artie, "Shrek the Third" really shows signs of wear and tear. Here "Shrek 3" even eludes its connection to pop culture. There is a forced "hip-hop" conversation between Shrek and Artie. "Shrek the Third" suffers from a stand alone gag structure. There is no coherence. Perhaps, all of the charming and sweet fairy tale essence has been weaned dry. The message near the end about believing in oneself is noble, but seems tacked on and out of context. "Shrek the Third" is over wrought, funny, and really not worth seeing. Perhaps, "Shrek 4" will recapture some of what made it so special. Then again, it may be time to move on to something new.