Mediorgre

Rating: 6/10 (2 November 2008)

Okay, so I'm a big fan of the first two Shrek movies, in fact Shrek 2 was even better than the first one in every manner. I didn't see this movie in theaters since I heard it was mediocre so I didn't bother. I recently saw it on a movie channel and had to agree with the critics. Highly disappointing. Granted it made me laugh multiple times but plot wise, it was considerably flimsy compared to the second one, which I think sets a standard. There is a lack of urgency and dynamism that the second movie had.
Things that SHOULD have worked: Artie - I didn't like him or hate him. I felt his past and character where rather weak. They had an opportunity to do an homage to retrieving Fiona from the first movie and help build his character but they ultimately cut any type of bonding short by Merlin zapping them home far too soon. Also, he needed glasses or something else. I was unconvinced that even nerds hated him. Timberlake did an okay job though, I'll give him that.
The Princesses - Snow White was a refreshing addition to the cast. Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty were also good but had less of an effect. The whole scene with Snow White summoning animals in her classic Disney voice and then breaking out into Led Zeppelin was perhaps the highlight of the whole movie. They needed more dynamic scenes like that one, that took the classic fairytale/Disney fluff and make it extreme. Otherwise the entire "break in" and entire "girl power" scene was far less interesting and fell short of the jail break out and later giant cookie siege on the castle in Shrek 2.
The Pregnancy - I had always known they were going to have kids, but I disliked that they actually showed the ogre babies in the third one. I considered it gimmicky and I feel they should have left Fiona visibly pregnant at the end. That way they could decide what they could do for the next movie. I had originally thought that would surely, being that the theme of the first two movies was loving others for who they are, not for false appearances, discrimination, etc that Shrek and Fiona's children would have been, as a twist, completely human. That way in the next movie you'd have conflict with children teasing their children that their parents are ogres and thus revisits the whole message of tolerance.
There were so many things wrong with it..no storybook opening, no CG "dance party" or musical at the end, somewhat of an implied tradition, I mean it was funny, but it felt somewhat forced or even half baked. It could have been split up for online webisodes, not a whole movie. Camera angles weren't as fun, scenes shorter, far more immature jokes, it just felt, again forced. Kids would love it but from a story standpoint it was just mediocre and not as funny or innovative as the others. It's more or less being disappointed with a series that was really witty and to get something not great from the line is...rather disheartening.