Shrek the Third (2007)

Forgettable. That's the first word that comes to my mind when I think of Shrek the Third because I've seen this film several times and yet I barely remembered a thing about before rewatching it. 

In this one, the king (John Cleese) of Far Far Away and father of Fiona (Cameron Diaz) dies and Shrek (Mike Myers) becomes the successor of the throne. But he doesn't feel like the right guy for the job so he decides to find Arthur (Justin Timberlake), the only remaining heir aside from him. But while Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) are away, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) comes back with an army of evil fairy tale creatures and attempts to take over.

One of the problems with Shrek the Third is that the plot is developed in the first 15 minutes of the film which leaves an hour and 15 minutes completely plotless. A lot of things happen but they aren't really related to one another. There's Shrek struggling to accept the fact that he's becoming a father. There's Shrek trying to convince Arthur that being a king is awesome so that he won't have to do it. There's Donkey in Puss in Boots' body and Puss in Boots in Donkey's body. There's a lot going on, and it just didn't do for me.

DreamWorks Animation, Paramount Pictures

Also, it's clear right from the beginning that the film lacks that spark, that something both its two predecessors had. Making fun of fairy tales doesn't work anymore this time around, the humour isn't really funny (that scene at the beginning when Shrek and Fiona are wearing royal attire is cringy, to say the least) and it lacks emotions. There are several moments that are supposed to be moving but they weren't, and I think I felt the same way the first time I watched the film back in 2007.

Another problem is that there are too many characters. Although most of them are very likeable, they have no development and they only do stupid things that are supposed to be funny to distract from the fact that the film doesn't have a plot. But again, it doesn't work. Arthur is such a wimp (Justin Timberlake did a good job though) and Prince Charming as a villain doesn't have anything to offer that hasn't already in Shrek 2.

Being completely honest though, I had a little fun watching this. But only towards the end, when Prince Charming puts on a play (in theatre with an audience and all) to kill the evil ogre and rull in the kingdom of Far Far Away.