Movie Review: Shrek 3

The Press panned it, so Houstonist went to see Shrek 3 with some reservations (read: at the behest of our roommate, because there's nothing else, because Spiderman is playing on approximately 95294372 screens). But reviewers, as it happens, have been wrong before.

Let's be clear: Shrek 3 will not change your life. The first of the movies in the series was such an out-there surprise that people tend, in retrospect, to forget what it was: a refreshingly servicable and fun animated kiddy movie that parents found themselves enjoying. Shrek 3, though it lacks the originality and surprise-value, obviously, of the original, is a lot like that. There are poop jokes (for the kids), sure, and wink-wink in jokes for the grownups (a visual joke about a medieval Hooters comes to mind), but there's also a healthy helping of fun that everyone can enjoy.

The plot is flimsy, but then, this is a cartoon, people. Shrek (still voiced by Mike Meyers), who is next in line for the throne when his father-in-law dies, has anxiety and wants to pass the throne on to a distant family cousin, Arthur (voiced by Justin Timberlake. Sadly, no singing). Arthur's to be found at his high school, where he's a consummate loser picked on by Lancelot and the jousting team. (The movie's best jokes are in the high school sequence). Meanwhile, Shrek and his wacky sidekicks (Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Antonia Banderas as Puss-In-Boots are both back) have the deal with the fact that Shrek's wife Fiona is pregnant. As if that wasn't enough, the bitter Prince Charming's trying to take over the kigdom of Far Far Away, with an army of fairytale villains.

It all ends happily, of course, and so will your movie-going experience. While you won't be falling out of your seat, this is a movie you won't mind taking the kids in your life to go see.

Grade: B