In this summer of blockbuster sequels, “Shrek the Third” doesn’t offer anything new for moviegoers, but one has to wonder if that’s even a bad thing in this case. The first two films were exciting, successful and truly funny, so more of the same isn’t necessarily a terrible thing.
The third installment is like a reunion of likable, familiar characters. You know them, you love them and you’re happy to see them again. They end up as the real centerpiece of the film.
The plot, which feels a little too familiar, takes a back seat to Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and, of course, Puss in Boots. Puss is just as lovable as before – trying not to gush about how cute he is proves just about impossible. Donkey-haters will be happy to know that Donkey’s annoying antics have been toned down, but Prince Charming is just as arrogant and annoying as ever.
In addition to all the familiar faces, “Shrek the Third” introduces a league of new characters, including Artie (later known as King Arthur) and Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. The princesses appear to have been added merely for the sake of laughs, but it works because they’re voiced by Amy Sedaris and some of the funny ladies from “Saturday Night Live.” The film even offers a glimpse of forgotten fairy-tale nemeses like Rumpelstiltskin and Captain Hook.
Because the film draws so heavily on fairy tales this time around, the pop culture references have been toned down. “Shrek 2” was exhaustingly full of references, so it’s refreshing to have a film sticking to the fairy tale world instead of spoofing our own.
But therein lies the next problem; whereas the first two films were able to bring something new to the table in terms of breaking the fairy tale mold, “Shrek the Third” relies heavily on already established fairy tales and also reaches into the centuries-old King Arthur mythology, trying to wrestle laughs out of placing Artie in a medieval high school where everyone thinks he’s a loser. It’s a hit-and-miss concept that tends to be more miss than hit, but the high school scene is just short enough not to bring the whole movie down with it.
The film even tries to further Shrek and Fiona’s “happily ever after” story by introducing parenthood into the picture. At first, this addition seems desperate and gimmicky, but by the end of the movie, it makes sense, and it works. But it creates a problem for the filmmakers if they decide to make a fourth “Shrek”: avoiding turning the movie into a comedy about family life and the “humor” of raising babies. Baby barf can only be funny for so long before it’s just plain nasty.
When it comes down to it, people go to see the “Shrek” movies because they know what they’re going to get, and in this case, “Shrek the Third” delivers by giving audiences more of the same.
The film will leave viewers mostly satisfied but entirely sure that there’s no need for any more sequels, because number three is undoubtedly starting to show signs that “Shrek” material is wearing thin.
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