Writer: Various
Director: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Cast:Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Antonio Banderes, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Eric Idle
Rating: PG
Studio: Paramount Home Video and Dreamworks
Release Date: November 13, 2007
The commercial success of Shrek and Shrek 2 virtually guaranteed that Shrek the Third would be a blockbuster success. While I have heard some other reviewers refer to the third installment in the Shrek series as one big continuous fart joke (c’mon it was one main scene…and it was funny), this story does have some substance. There is plenty of humor besides potty humor that makes this a great film. Imagine an ogre with Daddy issues about to be a father and half flying dragon-half donkey children that shoot fire from their nostrils when they sneeze. What’s not adorable about that?!
I liked Shrek the Third and I’m not afraid to say it. The little ogre babies are so adorable (I almost bought a stuffed one for my 3 year old nephew) and the story has a point and a purpose. While it isn’t quite as funny as the original Shrek I did like it nearly as much as I did Shrek 2. In all honesty, it’s rare for any sequel to match the quality of the original, but boy do the creators of Shrek try and in many cases succeed at making something enjoyable to watch.
Release Information:
The original Shrek debuted in theaters on May 18, 2001. It was incredibly successful winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. On May 19, 2004, Shrek 2 opened in theaters, where loyal moviegoers, anxious for the next Shrek movie, swarmed. It was nominated for an Oscar, and at the time it became the highest grossing animated film.
When Shrek the Third opened in theaters, on May 18, 2007 everyone expected big things for this film. It didn’t disappoint. At present, it holds the record for having the third highest opening weekend of all time, netting $121 million. On, November 13, 2007, Paramount Home Video released the DVD version of Shrek the Third. It can be purchased at local and online retailers in a widescreen edition, a full frame edition, and an HD version.
The Shrek the Third Plot
Shrek the Third begins where the second movie left off. Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are still in Far Far Away, where they are staying in the castle of Fiona’s parents, King Harold (John Cleese) and Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews). King Harold is dying and Shrek is in line to become the next King of Far Far Away. Not wanting to give up his muddy, disgusting swamp, Shrek learns about another possible heir to the King. So, he sets out to find the boy who can ascend the thrown in his place.
Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and some other men head out to find Fiona’s cousin, Artie Pendragon (Justin Timberlake). In the meantime, Fiona reveals to Shrek he’s going to be a father, a thought that terrifies him. While Donkey assures him he’s going to be a good dad (Donkey would know since he and his Dragon wife have little baby Donkey-Dragons that adorably sneeze fire), Puss is certain Shrek is screwed. However, Shrek cannot dwell for too long on his fears of becoming a father. He has to find Artie, who is attending Worcestershire Academy, and get him back to Far Far Away.
In the meantime, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) has rounded up all the baddies and thugs in Far Far Away. They storm the castle, lock up Fiona and the other women, and lay out a trap for Shrek. Charming is going to be the new King of Far Far Away and he believes there is nothing that can be done to stop him. This is retribution for what was done to his mother, the Fairy Godmother, in the second Shrek movie.
Shrek the Third features all of your favorite characters including Pinocchio, Doris (Larry King), the Gingerbread Cookie, all of the Far Far Away princesses (Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Rapunzel, etc.), and Captain Hook even makes an appearance in this one. Another new character is Merlin, making the King Arthur connection to the movie even more obvious. Of course, there are also the ogre babies, which are the cutest part of the movie!
While there was plenty of potty humor, and Shrek the Third just wasn’t as strong as the original movie, this one is still fun.The story did wrap up the loose ends and provide audiences with a picture of what happens next. Audiences can rest assured that a fairytale ending, or as much of one that is possible for an Ogre and his Ogre wife and children, is going to happen in this movie, and the story ends on a good note, which is always a sign that the story might finally be over. While I have enjoyed all three Shrek movies, the series really is at a point where it is time to bid adieu to the characters and move on to other movies.
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Audio/Visual:
The video quality depends on how you want to watch Shrek the Third. The movie is available in both widescreen format (which was transferred at an aspect ratio of 2.35:1) and full frames (which was transferred at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1). Whatever format you choose, Shrek the Third is stunning. This is, by far, the best of the Shrek films when it comes to the visual quality of the DVD. The animation style is CG and the DVD is the best CG I’ve seen. There was very little grain, virtually no compression artifacts, and the colorations are flawless.
As for the audio on the Shrek the Third DVD, the sound is pretty good. The Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound is better than most audio tracks found on DVDs. Still, the mix quality is either spot on or it has some problems with the musical elements overshadowing spoken text. While it won’t be so bad you cannot hear it, it might get on a few people’s nerves, especially when the visual quality is so spectacular. You just expect more out of the audio.
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Bonus Features:
One thing that is great about the Shrek the Third DVD is all the goodies that are available on this DVD. It’s always nice when major motion pictures offer extras. Things start off with a selection of animation whoopsies, in a feature called “Big Green Goofs”. Next, there is a gallery called “Academy Yearbook”. This features profiles of the characters that go to Worcestershire Academy including their group affiliations, social cliques, and any of the clubs they’ve joined. There is a feature of “Lost Scenes” where three scenes that never made it into the movie are pitched by the Shrek creators.
Other special features included on the Shrek the Third DVD include a short “Donkey Dance” feature where Donkey shakes his booty, a “Meet the Cast” featurette, which is a behind the scenes look at the cast and includes interviews with them, a featurette called “Shrek’s Guide to Parenthood”, with a top five list of tips for rearing children, a featurette called “Tech of Shrek”, which looks behind the scenes at creating the move from a technical aspect, the “Dreamworks Animation Video Jukebox”, with music videos from various Dreamworks animation pictures, and movie previews for Kung Fu Panda, Charlotte’s Web, Shrek, Shrek Two, Bee Movie, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Kids will enjoy offerings just for them on this DVD. These are features developed specifically by DreamWorks Kids. There is the game “Merlin’s Magic Crystal Ball”. Think of the point of a magic eight ball and put it on a DVD and you have this game. There is a featurette called “How to be Green”, which teaches children how to be kind to the environment. There is also a how-to guide on “Learning the Donkey Dance”. Finally, there are DVD-Rom activities and games for kids. Just pop the DVD in a PC DVD-Rom drive and your kids can play “DVD-Rom Shrektivities”.
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Bottom Line:
Shrek the Third has some fun moments, a few sad moments when you realize this is pretty much going to be the last of the Shrek movies, and some nostalgic moments. While you cannot expect as much from Shrek the Third as you do its two predecessors, you can expect a fun romp with your favorite Shrek characters. In Shrek the Third, the animation is absolutely adorable so expect a lot from the picture and try not to take this movie too seriously when you watch it.
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Technorati Tags: Shrek the Third, Paramount, Dreamworks, Animation, Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Arthur Pendragon, Fiona, Sequel, DVD Review
