Movie Info

RATING:

PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action.

RELEASED:

May 18, 2007

GENRE:

Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Animation, Sequel

STARRING:

(voice talents of) Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy, Regis Philbin, Rupert Everett

DIRECTORS:

Chris Miller, Raman Hui

DISTRIBUTOR:

Paramount Pictures

 

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MOVIE REVIEW

Shrek the Third

By Elliott Ryan
Guest Writer

What's This?

CBN.com - Shrek and Shrek 2 were classic animated films that were popular with audiences of all ages. So many have excitedly journeyed to their local theaters to see Shrek the Third since it was released last week. Unfortunately, they are learning that the law of diminishing returns is in full effect in the third installment of the series.

The first two films had both more humor and more action. This third film seems to be resting on the backstory created by the first two films. All of the characters are back from the first two (although many of them don’t really add much to the plot of this new story). It was a bit disappointing. None of this is to say that this was a bad film – it was not. It was good. But after the heights achieved by the first two films, this seems like a step backwards.

Princess Fiona’s father is on his deathbed. As Fiona’s husband, Shrek the ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) is next in line to the throne. The only problem is that Shrek is not at all interested in taking the throne. He would much rather return to the swamp where he has always lived comfortably. There is one other heir to the throne. Shrek goes searching for him so he can retire to his swamp in peace.

Peace doesn’t appear to be in Shrek’s future for two reasons. One is that the arrogant Prince Charming is using the King’s death as a chance to try to take the throne for himself. The Prince even rounds up all the other evil villains in Far Far Away to join him in his quest. In addition to that, Shrek also finds out he is going to be a father. He becomes very apprehensive about his ability to be a good dad.

The movie, like the first two, actually tells a good moral story. The lesson in this film is that just because you have done bad things in the past doesn’t mean you have to continue doing evil. Even people who have earned bad reputations for themselves still have their future in their hands. It isn’t too late to make a change.

The movie features great animation as would be expected. The famous actors who lend their voices to the characters were good. It is a fun, mostly inoffensive movie-going experience for the family. It just isn’t as much fun as the first two.

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