DreamWorks presents a PG rated film that runs approximately 85 minutes, directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Raman Hui. Characters voiced by Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Justin Timberlake (Arthur), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian), John Cleese (King Harold), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), Eric Idle (Merlin), Susan Blakeslee (Evil Queen), Cody Cameron (Pinocchio/Three Pigs/Ogre Baby), Larry King (Doris), Christopher Knights (Lind Mice/Heckler/Evil Tree), John Krasinski (Lancelot), Ian Shane (Captain Hook), Cheri Oteri (Sleeping Beauty), Regis Philbin (Mabel), Amy Poehler (Snow White), Maya Rudolph (Rapunzel), Amy Sedaris (Cinderella) and Aron Warner (Wolf).
Prince Charming, a washed up actor wants one thing in life which is to restore his dignity and gain the throne as King to Far Far Away. He needs some help in order to overtake the city so he enlists all the villains that were outcast such as Hook, the Evil Queen and Mabel. As King Frog lays dieing on his lily pad with one, maybe two, ok maybe three croaks left he informs Shrek that he must become King. All Shrek wants is to move back into the swamp with Princess Fiona and live happily ever after so he embarks on a journey with Puss in Boots and Donkey to seek out the next heir to the throne, Princess Fiona's cousin, Arthur.
While Shrek is away evil will play and it decided to take over the castle, all of its citizens and imprison the Queen, Princess Fiona and her group of girlfriends, Beauty, Snow, Rapunzel and Cindy. Not known to the Princess though a traitor walks among their circle on the side of Prince Charming. When Shrek finds Artie and makes his way back to Far Far Away their ship crashes and strands them on another island but with the help of Merlin they are magically transported back to his homeland in hopes of saving the day. One twist though sometimes while in transport things could possibly get mixed up physically for some of the hairy characters, creating a bit of humorous one liners. Sometimes in order to save the day it takes the burning of ones bra that really kicks girl power into action since Shrek is bound in shackles.
Fights are fought, words are exchanged, some for young and old and lessons are learned. Arthur discovers with the help of Shrek that what really matters is what you think of yourself and not what others think of you and the only thing that could ever possibly stand in your way of success and happiness is you. Sometimes good things come in three's like sequels, wishes or even ogres. As for this installment of Shrek it may have been better to let it out rather than keep it in referring to many bodily functions and the writing for the main characters. It seems to be the season for part three's like Spider Man, Pirates, and Shrek but just like the web slinger, Shrek albeit entertaining tends to slack a bit compared to one and two.
The graphic photography is outstanding, the score toe tapping, the voice work impeccable but the story although short in its length lacked a bit of originality and substance. Grant it this installment will do extremely well because it is worth going to see especially due to the great lines by Donkey, Puss and the Ginger Bread Man but it left me wanting just a bit more in the end. Overall though, thanks to a place Far Far Away, I did leave the theatre happily ever after.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.