An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Derek Malcolm's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Chris Miller.
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Rupert Everett
Description: When King Harold, the ruler of Far Far Away, dies suddenly, the realm cries out for a new ruler. Prince Charming schemes to claim the throne but Shrek has other plans, embarking on a quest to track down the rightful heir, Fiona's teenage cousin Prince Artie. Loyal sidekicks Donkey and Puss In Boots return for more comical misadventures.
Country: US. 2006. 92mins
Swamp thing: the animation may be state-of-the-art but the story-telling is feeble
Cameron Diaz is back as Princess Fiona, but the franchise has run out of ideas
We've had plenty of proof this summer that third instalments of popular blockbusters are either exceptionally difficult to make or rather less fresh than your average wilting daisy. Not one of them has been a good surprise. Shrek the Third is the worst case in point. I have rarely seen a more feeble piece of story-telling in aid of animation that, at its best, is state of the art.
The recipe hasn't changed much, even if the cooking is underdone. John Cleese's dying King Harold names Shrek (Mike Myers) as heir to the kingdom of Far Far Away. The green monster is fretting about impending fatherhood and doesn't want the extra burden, so sets off with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to find a suitable replacement.
Gallery: See more stills from the film here
While they are away, nasty Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) seizes control and imprisons Shrek's pregnant wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) along with Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and Snow White (Amy Poehler).
It's up to Shrek to defeat the villains and, being a decent sort, he does so by appealing to their better natures. There's a ghastly syrupy ending to emphasise that good will always beat bad and all's well with the world.
There are, of course, a few genuinely funny moments and a sprinkling of decent one-liners. There's also nice homage to Rosemary's Baby and you have to laugh when Andrews suddenly sings a line from My Favourite Things. You will enjoy the moments when Shrek tries hard to be an effective King before giving up on the job.
But the rest is poorly written and dully characterised. Even the cast seem less enthusiastically bouncy than before. The product placement is pretty blatant, too. It looks very much as if there was no creative reason whatsoever to make the movie apart from the fact that its predecessors made a heap of money.
This may be a good way to get rich on the franchise, and there's no doubt that Dreamworks will. But there can't be another episode in the pipeline unless it is decided to erase the memory of this one which simply doesn't achieve what the first two films managed: to appeal to kids and parents as well.
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Didn't like any of the Shrek movies but saw this one and could not stop laughing and crying at the same time. Brilliant animation, wonderful humour and overall an excellent movie enjoyed by adults and children alike.
- Tristan, United Kingdom
I thought Shrek the Third was a complete masterpiece. I enjoyed every minute of it and if you're going to be negative about the film you can't possibly say the ending was "ghastly" - it conveys a nice message! All in all a wonderful film, a must see!
- Sian, Stanstead Abbotts England
Such an exact review, all the best parts are within the trailer for the film and that last less than a minute.
- Jay, London
Morning:
13°c
