Shrek the Third: The Curse of the Third
Historically, sequels have proven to be a disappointment to moviegoers, but there have been a few that have managed to outdo the original. However, in the case of trilogies, which are becoming increasingly popular, the 3rd installment has some tough shoes to fill, especially when the second movie managed to outdo the first in the series.
While it’s all debatable, most people would agree that most recently Spiderman 2 was better than the original, but the 3rd installment left us all a little dissatisfied. (For a review on this film, please see my earlier posts.) The characters in Spiderman 3, though the same as the first two films, had no depth this time around. Maybe it is because there wasn’t much of a story for them to get into.
The first chapter of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, seemed impossible to surpass, but the second installment (The Two Towers) managed to blow it out of the water. Though, personally, the first one is still my favorite, the final chapter (Return of the King) uncharacteristically managed to stand its ground compared to the two earlier chapters. It’s hard to determine which film was the best, considering each one dealt with increasingly difficult struggles and challenges until it all climaxed into and ending that relieved us all.
There are many movie franchises out there that have been blessed with a successful second film, and sometimes a surprisingly successful third film, for example, Toy Story 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, but more often than not the middle film is the one that stands out.
[SPOILER ALERT-Do not read if you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want it ruined]
So, this weekend I went to see the third in the Shrek franchise. Now, mind you having attended the Rum Festival earlier in the evening I was very relaxed after a bucket of voodoo juice. Going into this film, knowing that I enjoyed the second Shrek more than the first, but having really enjoyed the first Shrek, I was optimistic for the third.
The scene opened up with Shrek and Fiona keeping an eye on things in Far Far Away because the king was on his deathbed. After the king croaked, no pun intended (okay, well maybe it was intended), Shrek set out to find Arthur, the only other heir to the throne besides Shrek, whom the king named his successor before he died.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming was plotting to capture the kingdom and enlisted the services of all the villains from fairy tale land to help him take (what he thought was) his rightful place as King.
Back in Far Far Away, Shrek learned that Fiona was pregnant as he was setting sail. Now more than ever wanted to find Arthur to relieve him of his responsibility. He wanted nothing more than to be in his swamp with Fiona and no one else. Naturally worried about becoming a father he had a very amusing “nightmare” where his swamp was overrun with little ogre babies wreaking havoc on Shrek’s nerves. When he wakes up they’ve arrived at the local high school where Arthur Pendragon is an awkward misfit who is disliked by even the medieval geeks.
Emboldened by the news that he is to be king of Far Far Away, he tells off his fellow classmates and walks out with a slightly larger ego than before. On the journey back to Far Far Away, Arthur’s confidence disappears when Donkey and Puss talk ever so casually about the responsibilities of a king. Thoroughly convinced that he has just gotten in over his head, he tries to turn the ship around and ends up crashing it in to a rocky shoal, with the assistance of Shrek.
Once on land, Shrek and the defiant Arthur, with a bedraggled Puss and donkey in tow, try to see eye to eye. Shrek awkwardly tries to relate to young Arty by using modern teenage vernacular. Running away from Shrek, Arty runs into his old high school magic teacher, Merlin, who has been living as a hermit. After a self-evaluating therapy session from Merlin, Captain Hook and some other fairytale villains attack Shrek and the gang and it is revealed that Prince Charming has taken over Far Far Away.
Now, more determined than ever to get home Shrek quickly sends the villains heading for the hills. Arty convinces a reluctant Merlin to use some magic to send them back to Far Far Away, and in a flash the gang arrives in the forest just outside of the Castle. Only, Donkey and Puss have switched bodies, which Merlin warned there could be some side effects given that he hasn’t preformed this sort of magic in a while.
Fiona, who was in the middle of her baby shower, with Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and a duplicitous Rapunzel, try to avoid being captured by Prince Charming but end up in prison thanks to Rapunzel leading them straight to the Prince. The damsels in distress finally realize that they can’t always wait for their Knight to rescue them, take it upon themselves to break out and take back the Castle.
All the good guys converge on Far Far Away just in time to save the day, with a heartfelt speech from the to-be-king, Arty, that leads the bad guys to throw down their weapons and turn over a new leaf.
While “Shrek the Third” had it’s classic Shrek moments, this film was by far the least favorite of the bunch. Shrek’s grumpiness is starting to get old, and Arty just wasn’t that likeable of a character. However, the laughs were good ones. It’s definitely worth seeing at least once.
I give this movie 3 golden pens out of five.
I can only hope that the upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (check back next week for that review) and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” can break the curse and at least live up to their predecessors.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Who would go see it now that you have diagnosed each scene? I feel like I watched the movie with you. Did we at least get some popcorn?
January 5th, 2008 at 4:33 am
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