Movie Review - Shrek The Third

Shrek The Third doesn't officially open until Friday, but this time Southern Man and his daughters didn't even need to stay up for the traditional Thursday midnight showing; there was a ten o'clock offering as well. And at several different theatres, too. Southern Man has no idea why they let this one out two hours and one minute before the official opening date. Perhaps to get it over with early so we could get a good nights sleep.

OK, it's Shrek, so you know what to expect. The first was an irreverent poke at fairy tales (and animated films) in general; the second equally clever. But Shrek The Third is telling evidence that the series has pretty much run out of steam. Sure, there are lots of fun moments during the hour-and-a-half running time and there was plenty of laughter from the audience, but as a whole the movie was mainly a bunch of short jokes and sight gags looking for a story. In a way, the circle is now complete: Shrek The Third is the kind of movie that the first two entries in the franchise made fun of.

In short, if you liked the first two you'll end up seeing it once (and yes, you'll laugh at the Monty Python-esque nuttiness), and if you have kids you'll eventually shell out for the DVD, but Southern Man predicts that the first two will continue to please while the disappointing third sits forgotten on the shelf.