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Shrek the Third (2007)
Director: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Synopsis
When Shrek’s new father-in-law falls ill, the green ogre is looked at as the new heir to the throne, a role he he not too keen on.
Movie review
From Time Out London
As with many film franchises, you could string together all three of these money-spinners and not notice the joins. The trouble with this third instalment, though, is that a) its Arthurian premise is dispiritingly conventional and b) the pop culture references are starting to wear thin.‘Shrek the Third’ centres on hammy wannabe actor Prince Charming (voice of Rupert Everett) who, it turns out, isn’t that charming after all. In fact he’s a spoiled egomaniac who loves himself more than his heckling audiences do. When Charmless finds out that the dying King Harold (John Cleese) has asked his ogre of a son-in-law, Shrek to seek out his natural successor (a distant nephew called Arthur Pendragon), he seizes the opportunity to organise an ego-boosting coup against the meek civilians of Far Far Away. With Shrek (Mike Myers) and his wise-cracking sidekick Donkey (Eddie Murphy) away in search of the new king, it’s left to the loveable ogre’s beloved wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and her bevy of fairytale femme fatales to kick a few butts into touch. But that’s not all, there’s a sub-plot boiling away in Shrek’s mind and it involves babies…
Despite a number of protracted moments, a few scenes are truly inspired: the dying-frog sequence for one, and Shrek’s ‘Exorcist’-inspired nightmare about parenthood for another. Some jokes sail close to innuendo, but in the main they’re balanced enough to appeal to all ages. The CG animation, too, is as refined as we’ve come to expect. Just a shame it lacks the smart sassiness of its predecessors. Time to call time, we think.
Author: Derek Adams
Time Out London Issue 1923: June 27-July July 3 2007
User reviews of this film
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- Juliana said...
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Posted on Mar 19 2009 23:54
The feeble storyline and lack of good jokes make this a disappointing Shrek sequel, although the animation is as brillint as ever.
Only moderately entertaining - Report as inappropriate
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- Grizz said...
- Posted on Mar 04 2008 14:30 I thought it was bloody funny too! Puss, as always was great, in fact, it was all good! I never trust reviews in the media anyway. I have in the past and been SEVERELY let down! I honestly don't know what critics or reviewers want from films, esp. fantasy films. Unlike them, I pay to see movies...I'll decide what I like or not in future. I am a big film fan and have a large dvd collection.
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- Grizz said...
- Posted on Mar 04 2008 14:23 I can't believe the bad reviews! I thought the film was excellent! I suppose these snob critics wanted shrek to be dubbed with foreign language subtitles, in black and white, with everyone posing in glossy parisian surroundings, with some convoluted subplot involving underage sex and murder! It's a kids animated film for god sakes!!! what do you expect??
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- Will said...
- Posted on Dec 08 2007 18:52 Haha
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- Will said...
- Posted on Dec 08 2007 18:51 Haha...
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- fred said...
- Posted on Dec 08 2007 18:50 I laughed so much
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- berd said...
- Posted on Dec 08 2007 18:50 amazing so funny
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- rampapam said...
- Posted on Nov 18 2007 11:58 what is an autism friendly screening?
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- MeMeMe = ] said...
- Posted on Nov 10 2007 13:37 I Thought Tht There Had Been Better ......
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- Alice said...
- Posted on Sep 29 2007 14:05 Its saterday i am seeing it today it looks really good i can't wait to see it..............
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- Danni said...
- Posted on Sep 04 2007 13:08 Loved it - as always Shrek is brilliant and funny. Although not quite as good as the other two, definately worth watching again and again and again
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- Paris Brixey said...
- Posted on Aug 31 2007 09:50 Very Funny, would watch it again
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- fanny fartknocker said...
- Posted on Aug 22 2007 22:00 O.K...but nothing can beat the first Shrek in my opinion. A bit samey and not as much fun as the other two.
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- Aimee said...
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Posted on Aug 19 2007 10:14
Hi EVERYONE,
I have not seen S the THIRD yet.(will soon)
hope it is good (DO NOT TELL ME THE END)
and 1 and 2 GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Report as inappropriate
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- Sue said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2007 11:42 Not as good as the first two but still well worth seeing!
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Producer: Aron Warner
Genre(s): Children's, Comedy
Rated: U
Duration: 93 mins
UK Release: Jun 29 2007
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