The 313 Second Movie Review: "Shrek the Third"

Hola, amigos! Welcome back to The 313 Second Movie Review. Damn, I am really putting money into the AMC 20. They might as well give me a membership card or something to go see a movie there, I've seen so many times this year. Well on to the review. Today's movie is "Shrek the Third." The film stars Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Antonio Banderas as Puss In Boots, Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian, John Cleese as King Harold, Larry King as Doris, Rupert Everett as Prince Charming, Justin Timberlake as Artie, Regis Philbin as Mabel, and Eric Idle as Merlin. Well, I take it I don't need to describe the previous "Shrek" movies, so let's skip the rewind and for the plot. Shrek and Fiona are taking over the kingdom of Far, Far Away in place of her parents, as King Harold (still a frog from the previous movie) is sick. Sure enough, news breaks that Harold is on his death lilly (that's something I thought I'd never say) and wants Shrek to take the throne. Our favorite comedic ogre wants no part of it, and is recommended by Harold to get Fiona's half-brother, who's next in order of seccession behind Shrek. Well, Shrek wants that to go down so he and Fiona can return to the swamp together. Problem: Fiona has yet to alert Shrek that he's about to be a daddy. Insert your own joke about Eddie Murphy's baby mama drama with Scary Spice here. So the ever-so-funny trio of Shrek, Donkey, and Puss make treks to search for Artie, as he's known as in the movie. Instead of the strapping young lad they expected, they get a whiny, little he-bitch who can't even hold his own ground against his geekier peers. Leave to Shrek to show Artie the way, as he tries to get Artie ready to take over Far, Far Away. Meanwhile, things aren't exactly rosy in the kingdom. Prince Charming is back in the picture and recruits Captain Hook, Cyclops, and other villians of fairy tales, legends, and nursey rhymes to stage a coup d'etat. This forces Fiona to be accompanied during this overthrow by more well-known princesses, such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Rapunzel, to aid her. If this film is guilty of anything at all, it could have done a few more jabs at cinema, but it do nicely, mocking "Rosemary's Baby" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." But just like the previous "Shrek" movies, all fairy tales, legends, and nursery rhymes are fair game. Most importantly however is that this series still has a lot of heart to it and continues to touch you. Wonderfully done, if I say so myself.

And there is more good news. This comes from the far away kingdom of Sequalland. Dreamworks Animation has given the green light to a fourth installment. So keep a look out for "Shrek 4" to be released in 2010.

My time's up, you've been great. For the road: Mims "This Is Why I'm Hot"