Disappointment but still OK for DVD rental

Rating: 6/10 (31 December 2007)

OK, liked the first two, so I wasn't expecting a sequel to live up to the first two, but this was really disappointing. The plot line was believable but dull. Shrek is made the next heir of Far Far Away unless he can find another heir, which he does. So Shrek, Donkey, and Puss head our on a quest to get the new heir and return him to Far Far Away. Justin Timberlake voices the new heir, Prince Artie (Arthur). This is a play off of King Aurthur. Timberlake's character never really brings about the endearing factor that Shrek or Donkey did in the first movie so there is really no one character who brings out a big emotional response. And while the merry trio is out looking for the new heir, Prince Charming is raising rebellion among the evil characters and they actually take over Far Far Away. The comedy just falls flat in this installment, in fact, I got more laughs out of the supporting characters such as Pinocchio and Gingee.
The underlying plot of Shrek being afraid to be a daddy never really played out for me. Shrek has some nightmares and the nightmares weren't that good, for lack of a better word. The babies are kind of ugly to me and not cute like Dragon and Donkey's babies are. That may sound superficial, but hey it's an animated movie, you would expect them to make the kids cute. As I said, this subplot falls short as does the entire plot line.
Shrek the Third has it's moments, but for those thinking it lives up to the promise of being "The Best Shrek Yet" will be sorely disappointed. Go ahead and rent it, don't buy it. If you like after renting, then buy.
Thanks Gary