Shrek the Third

By Nancy Tu Translated by Ann Lee

Rating: PG
Animation/ Comedy/ Fantasy

Like "Spiderman" and "Pirates of the Caribbean", the Shrek powerhouse follows the recent Hollywood trend of making multiple sequels to movies that did extremely well the first (or second!) time around. Audiences whose Spidey sense tingled for Toby Maguire or who swooned for a swashbuckling Jack Sparrow got a triple treat with sequels—and now they're about to get another ogre-green dip of the not-so-jolly giant, Shrek.

The plot, continued from the last two movies, starts with our hero finally living happily ever after with Princess Fiona. But, as Shrek's reality usually goes, ultimate happiness is short-lived. When his new father-in-law, King Harold, falls ill, Shrek is looked at as the heir to the Land of Far, Far Away. However, not wanting to leave his beloved swamp, Shrek recruits his friends Donkey and Puss in Boots to install the rebellious Artie as the new king.

Although making sequels saves writers the trouble of re-establishing the main characters, it boosts the audience's expectations for a fresh, entertaining continuation of a story they already know. In Shrek 3, this challenge is battled by weaving in various fairytales, with surprisingly familiar characters—it only makes sense that Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty are Princess Fiona's closest girlfriends, right? The princesses are hilarious and other characters, such as the Gingerbread Man, are back with cameo comedy.

Shrek 3 brings back most of the original cast, and then some, for another round of jabs at fairy tales and pop culture. Apart from Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas, you will also hear from Diaz's ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, as well as other celebrities like Larry King and Julie Andrews.

Shrek 3 is not in theaters yet, but it is already hyped up and excitement is building. Whether this movie can live up to the box office success of Shreks 1 and 2 remains a question. Will there be a Shrek 4 and Shrek 5? It all depends on how the audience likes this one.

For specific showing times, please refer to theatre notices.