Making the third movie in a series is a tough row to hoe, especially for comedies. First of all, you’re starting with the jokes that weren’t good enough to make it into either of the first two movies. Sure, some new ones will be figured out, but as a writing challenge, you start in a hole.
Second, unless continuity is just thrown out the window, you become boxed in by what has happened in the first movies. What to do if the really funny turn of events would be completely contrary to a character element laid out previously?
Shrek the Third definitely shows signs of struggling with these problems, and as a result, gets off to a surprisingly tepid start. The hallmark of the first two films was a constant flow of Zucker Brothers-esque sight gags and spoofs, and this is missing from the first act of Shrek the Third. Instead, it has to put all of its effort into shifting course and setting up a new story line, leaving little energy for any actual humor.
Photo © Dreamworks Animation LLC
The first movie was about love between misfits. The second one was pretty much the same. But with this third movie, we’ve moved beyond it into territory that isn’t going to connect so well with the kids in the audience: how to handle the drudgery of middle class life. Yes, despite the fact that they are royalty, the big questions facing Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are where to live, how much to sell out to societal pressure to get a good job, and whether they’re ready to start a family. The problems they’re up against are decidedly unexotic.
With the death of Fiona’s father, the Frog King (John Cleese), Shrek—not Fiona—is somehow tapped to ascend the throne… except Shrek doesn’t really want the job. So when he learns that there is one other person in line for the throne—a young man named Arthur (still not Fiona—Far Far Away is truly a patriarchal fairytale kingdom)—Shrek is determined find this long-lost heir and force him to the throne instead.
So Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Puss ‘n’ Boots (Antonio Banderas) hit the road again. They find Arthur (Justin Timberlake) at a posh private high school, where he is the lowliest of the school dweebs (even the chess geeks are harrassing him) who is unaware of his royal position. “Artie” has some pretty serious abandoment issues, and while they’re never really explored, they struck me as thoroughly reasonable. After all, his father did somehow father this kid (who is younger than Fiona), and then cover him up so well that nobody else is aware of his existence (and no mother is ever mentioned) and dump him into a remote school with no acknowledgement.
Hate to say it, but Fiona’s dad was apparently quite the jerk.
Photo © Dreamworks Animation LLC
It is about the halfway point, when they’re heading back to Far Far Away with Artie that the movie finally starts to rediscover its old groove. The pace of the jokes picks up, the musical cues get funny again, and Eric Idle puts in a funny scene as Merlin, the forcibly retired magic teacher. Back in Far Far Away Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) conspires with all the poor oppressed fairy tale villains in a palace coup and plots to get his revenge on Shrek.
The “Disney” princesses get a lot of screentime this time around and though it is somewhat hit-and-miss (they’ve already been pretty thoroughly spoofed in the first two movies), there are a couple really good gags, especially one involving Snow White and some Led Zeppelin.
Photo © Dreamworks Animation LLC
Is it appropriate for kids? The type of humor is pretty much the same as in the other two movies so if you’re OK with the kids seeing those, then you’ll should be OK with this one. I love that the movie is rated PG for some crude humor, suggestive content, and “swashbuckling action.” It’s pretty much all crude humor and I have absolutely no idea what “swashbuckling action” means as it relates to child appropriateness.
There is violence and some death, but there is no sex (though a little bit of innuendo), drugs, or swearing. The bigger issue may be that the movie is surprisingly talky and a fair number of the jokes play a little old.
It is definitely the weakest of the three entries, but few will feel burned for seeing it.
Shrek the Third is a PDI/Dreamworks production.
Wide theatrical release May 18.
Directed by Chris Miller and Raman Hui
Screenplay by Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Chris Miller, and Aron Warner
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Ruper Everett, Justin Timberlake.
Running Time: 93 minutes.
Rated PG for some crude humor, suggestive content, and swashbuckling action.
Alex Rating: 7 out of 10.
