Review: Third ‘Shrek’ film keeps charm, magic of original

Directed by: Chris Miller, Raman Hui

Starring: (the voices of) Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Evert, Justin Timberlake, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Eric Idle

Rated: PG

When it comes to cinematic animation, styles and wonders are myriad.

Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willy” introduced Mickey Mouse to the world in 1928, and the Disney Co.’s masterpiece “Fantasia” came a scant 12 years later in 1940.

They could not be more dissimilar in style.

TV staples like “Rocky and Bullwinkle,” “Scooby Doo,” “Davey and Goliath” and of late, “The Simpsons” and “South Park,” are artistic proof that animation has very few boundaries.

Whether based on simple line drawings, claymation or computer-generated images, what holds animated pieces together is the same thing that holds every other kind of film together: the writing.

As for the big screen, the “modern” age of animated features began in 1995 when Pixar finally managed to harness the power of (at the time) modern computers on a budget a producer could work with.

“Toy Story” changed the world. It was on the technological cutting edge and, most importantly, the writing was top notch.

From that point forward, one week’s “state-of-the-art” was next week’s “nostalgia.”

After “Toy Story,” the animation bar was raised on a regular basis. “Antz,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2” and “Dinosaur” each brought something new, and amazing, to the table.

“Shrek,” which came along in spring 2001 as the first animated offering from Dreamworks, was highly anticipated and universally praised.

Based on a simple children’s book by William Steig, the basic plot was something kids could get while the in-jokes and satire (much of it directed at the rival Disney Co.) was enough to keep adults engaged. And the animation was nothing short of breathtaking. The characters – from the title ogre through the animals and “regular” people – had hair that bristled, muscles that flexed and expressions that expressed. It didn’t look like everyday life, but it had an uncanny sense of realism.

Dreamworks had planned “Shrek” to be self-contained (all the loose ends were tied), but with its success came the need for a sequel. So, “Shrek 2” took a bit of doing. In essence, it was a “Shrekish” version of “Meet the Parents.”

With “Shrek the Third,” we reach mid-life crisis time, as our favorite ogre simply wants to go back to his swamp with his bride Fiona and continue living happily ever after. But the death of Fiona’s dad, the king, forces Shrek to become the interim ruler of Far Far Away, the land in which these films take place. There’s another rightful heir in line to the throne, the noble of spirit but rather nerdy Arthur, and “Shrek the Third” deals with Shrek’s attempt to put the boy on the throne.

The most clever plot device here is when the “bad guys” – who are characters of ill-repute from various and sundry fairy tales down through the ages – get together to try and gain some of the respect they believe is deserved.

As with the other films in the franchise, “Shrek the Third” offers a lot of adult humor – nothing is too risqué (there’s a Hooters restaurant reference), but a lot will go over the younger kids’ heads. It’s also filled with the charm and has the magic look of the previous “Shreks.”

Like the recent “Spider-Man 3,” this is an obvious summer blockbuster. And like that film, “Shrek the Third” is well done, which is rare for a sequel’s sequel, and entirely entertaining.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]