Dir: Chris Miller, Raman Hui

Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas

 When the first Shrek film was released in 2001, it became the first CGI animation to seriously challenge the Disney/Pixar crown. Since then the franchise has amassed unprecedented success and is on course for five instalments with a Puss in Boots spin-off also in the works.

Hand-in-hand with the release of each film is the guarantee of a brilliantly animated, fun film that will make you cry laughing. To some extent, Shrek the Third continues that trend.

The film begins with Fiona’s father on his deathbed and, quite literally, on the verge of ‘croaking’. He tells Shrek that if he wants to avoid being the next king then he must find the only other heir to the throne, Arthur. On the way to find him, Shrek also has to deal with the prospect of being a father, and an angry Prince Charming who is hell-bent on revenge.

Shrek the Third introduces a slew of new characters which include the very skatty and slightly mental Merlin (Eric Idle), Lancelot, enchanted trees and just about every fairytale villain all looking to tell their side of the story.

The attention to detail remains one of the most notable things about the film. The animation is superb, the background jokes are simply brilliant and the subtle Disney references are unparalleled.

The voicing is, as always, outstanding. The trio of Myers, Banderas and Murphy continue to provide huge laughs and it makes for fantastic viewing. Justin Timberlake is a solid addition to the team and provides the necessary publicity the film will receive due to his past relationship with Diaz. His character, Arthur, should really be English but, then again, in a world in which the quintessentially British John Cleese and Julie Andrews raise an ogre with an American accent, I expect it doesn’t really matter.

The film comes across as a transitional instalment as, although it’s just as funny and well animated, it just isn’t as meaty as the other two. This might be due to the length or perhaps it is because Shrek has become more of an attraction without the need for a less simplistic plot. It is not as fulfilling as the previous two but still miles better than any other animation so far this year.

As ever, the soundtrack is well selected with Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” a particularly excellent and oh-so-relevant choice.

Shrek the Third benefits from the audience knowing the characters inside out but, because the previous two have been so strong, the audience now expects further brilliance.

All in all, the film ticks all the necessary boxes and, with a musical and the Shrek the Halls Christmas special on the way, the franchise continues in full force.

Related Topics

Antonio Banderas - The Puss in Boots Interview

Rupert Everett - The Prince Charming Interview

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