SHREK THE THIRD
US, 2007, 93 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Justin Timberlake, Ian Mc Shane, Amy Poehler.
Directed by Charles Miller.
Shrek has become one of the best known names in cartoon and animation history. Shrek the First was such a success world wide, only to be outdone by the box-office popularity of Shrek the Second. (Both of them even being screened at the Cannes Film Festival.) While the initial surprise and magic can’t be recaptured, this is an entertaining enough sequel.
Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and that recent new comrade, Puss in Boots, are back along with a host of other fairy tale characters. And it is the demure heroines like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella who come into their feminist own by the end of the film.
Shrek is ruling the kingdom of Far Far Away until the Frog King gets better. He doesn’t (which gives John Cleese a chance to do three quick death scenes). But Shrek wants to go home to the swamp and live happily and grubbily ever after with Fiona, the way ogres should. He finds a way out when a distant relative could be the next king, Arthur. Off the expedition goes to find him and bring him back (just after Fiona tells Shrek she is pregnant which gives him some frightening nightmares of broods of little ogres during the voyage).
Arthur is not Round Table calibre – call me ‘Artie’! But off they go for home, aided by a spell from a befuddled Merlin which switches Donkey’s and Puss’s personalities - so some comedy routines of mixed identity.
This is complicated by the sinister planning of the thwarted Prince Charming, now a has-been actor for down-and-out villains (Captain Hook, the Evil Queen from Snow White…) who spend their time at a bar at the Unhappy Hour.
There is never a doubt that there will be a happy every after for everyone except Prince Charming (even Captain Hook will give up his hook and go and grow daffodils) when the reborn Arthur gives a stirring speech about the only obstacle to being who you want to be is yourself! It is the adventure and comedy along the way that is the important thing. For the youngies there is a lot of slapstick and schtick from Eddie Murphy’s Donkey and Antonia Banderas’ Puss as well as all the mishaps for Charming (Rupert Everett obviously relishing his villain status).
Shrek is, of course, his old self, becoming more benign as the series goes on. Fiona has long given up her beautiful appearance and is also her ogre self. Julie Andrews is the Queen who is not keen on being called an old lady and who can thump through walls with the best of them. The mock scene of Snow White’s sweet song with all the animals joining her suddenly turning into a mini Valkyries’ attack is enjoyable. Eric Idle is Merlin and Ian McShane? is Captain Hook. A good surprise is that Artie is voiced very well by Justin Timberlake.
Plenty of sight gags, with Far Far Away looking a lot like Hollywood with such shops as Versarchery. Quite a number of musical gags (like the theme from Live and Let Die for the funeral of the King or the bewitched trees rehearsal, tapping to music from A Chorus Line). Plenty of plot – perhaps laughs for the kids and smiles for the parents.
1.The popularity of Shrek? In world consciousness? Expectations of the third film? Fulfilled?
2.The quality of the animation, layouts and sets (and the Los Angeles jokes about Far Far Away)? The swamp, the countryside, the city? The play and performances? The characters, situations? Delight and humour?
3.The cast, the quality of the voices and performance? The musical score, songs – and in-jokes?
4.The presuppositions about Shrek and Fiona, about Donkey and Puss in Boots, about the king and queen, about Prince Charming? The fairytale characters like Pinocchio, the Gingerbread Man, the Three Little Pigs? Puss in Boots and Donkey swapping personality?
5.The new characters, the women, Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel? The martial arts? Artie and his becoming heroic? Lancelot?
6.The situation, Shrek and his having to rule the kingdom, his character, love for Fiona, Fiona in her ogre appearance? Getting ready for state events and the confinement of the clothes, the formality, the royal duties and the mayhem? Yearning for the swamp? Donkey and Puss in Boots at court and helping?
7.The king, as a frog, croaking – and his three deaths? The queen? The news about Artie? The funeral – and singing ‘Live and Let Die’?
8.Shrek going on the voyage, the farewell, Fiona shouting about her pregnancy? Shrek and his nightmares about the many children?
9.Landing in the kingdom, going to the tournament, the people, Lancelot and his skills, Artie as a failure? Lancelot and his scorn? Artie’s self-esteem, some self-assertion, the offer to be king?
10.The journey of the return, the discussions between Shrek and Artie, Puss in Boots and Donkey and the humour? Visiting Merlin, the old man in a dither, his appearance, the spells, reversing Puss in Boots and Donkey, the quick arrival at Far Far Away?
11.Prince Charming, the opening and his performance, riding and derring-do? At the inn for all the villains, Unhappy Hour? His plot, his speech urging them to help him, their conversion, Captain Hook and company? The attack, the women confronting them? Rapunzel being the traitor? Their talking Fiona and the queen and imprisoning them? The women in prison, the cell, their decisions, the queen and her strength, breaking through the walls? Snow White and her martial arts?
12.Prince Charming, the play, the performance and his wanting to destroy Shrek? Captain Hook conducting? The rehearsals for destroying Shrek?
13.Shrek, arrival, the imprisonment and his speech about Artie, Artie going? The play, the stage, Shrek and the send-up of Prince Charming, the audience laughing, Charming’s frustration?
14.Artie, leaving, learning the truth, his return? Fighting, the confrontation with Charming? His final speech about self-assertion? Everybody taking heart – and Captain Hook going to tend daffodils?
15.The return to the swamp, Merlin reversing the spells? The happy families?
