'Shrek 3' too linear and the jokes are getting tired
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Shrek III
Certification: PG
Cast: Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake
Director: Chris Miller
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
HE'S big, he's green, he's ugly, but he's just the opposite of the Incredible Hulk. He's the lovable ogre and he's back for thirds.
Shrek (Mike Meyers) and his wife, Fiona (Cameron Diaz), are both now living in the castle with Fiona's parents in Far Far Away. As Fiona's father the King has been bed-ridden with illness, Shrek and Fiona have been performing the duties of a king and queen with each time ending in a disaster. But it isn't long before the King is croaking his last croak on his death-bed, though not before naming Shrek as his successor and heir.
Shrek, less than flattered, has been missing his ogre life back at the swamp and is looking forward to returning home. He pleads for his dying father-in-law to reconsider, and, out of the blue, a young boy named Arthur (Justin Timberlake) is revealed as the only other living heir (with no explanation why). It is now up to Shrek to bring him back.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) is again plotting his way to becoming king, reclaiming — as he puts it — what is rightfully his. He has rounded up all the fairy tale villains and is planning to strike while Shrek is away with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Only Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), Fiona and her friends are left at the palace to take up arms against Prince Charming.
While I appreciate how Shrek 3 isn't as messy as Spider-Man 3 or as hectic as Pirates 3, its plot is too straight forward, too linear. The jokes are the only thing that's driving the movie forward and most of the jokes are recycled and reused.
Let's face it, after three instalments, there are probably not many fresh new ideas you can come up with for a big, green and ugly-looking ogre. Shrek is still seen making fun of himself, burping and scratching and eating disgustingly. Donkey and Puss are limited to one-liners and they aren't even that funny anymore. The same goes for Pinocchio, The Ginger Bread Man and the rest of the sub-cast, whose funniest moments have already been revealed in the trailers.
Remember how Donkey and Puss did a great number at the end of Shrek 2 to the song "Livin' La Vida Loca"? Even the song at the end of this one is obscure and boring.
When the original Shrek came out, it was fresh and therefore, hilariously funny; and the second had more than enough entertainment value with the new additions into the Shrek franchise family to make it a worthy successor, this third one however has a significantly different pace and is more serious than ever. Shrek is on a quest to bringing back a teenager who has no idea how to be a king while he sets his target as returning back to his swamp to live in peace and seclusion. But who wants a serious Shrek?
Not only has Shrek toned down the entertainment value in this one, but there are so many underlying messages for the kids that it feels more like going to a lecture for moral lesson. Bring your notepads, boys and girls; there is much to be learned. Sure, it's a good idea to incorporate all these life-changing and educational issues into a cartoon which most kids will watch, but where is the fairy tale? Where is that Disney magic especially when we have all the princesses from the old Disney fairy tales in one movie (though none of them share any resemblance to the originals)? They just don't make animated movies like they used to.
What had me reminiscing the most was when Snow White started singing and all the animals from the forest approached her, a la classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. That was the highlight of the moment for me and left me wanting more. Sadly, no more came.
What's more disappointing was how there didn't seem to be much improvements in the animation department. The texture and the colours still looked the same as when Shrek first came out six years ago.
So far, not one of this summer-season's trilogies has lived up to its predecessors. No matter how much box-office records they smash, it has been disappointing all around coming from the biggest names in Hollywood.
It would be wise not to get any hopes up for next week's Ocean's Thirteen.
Reviewer's Rating: 6.5 / 10The Brunei Times
Certification: PG
Cast: Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake
Director: Chris Miller
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
HE'S big, he's green, he's ugly, but he's just the opposite of the Incredible Hulk. He's the lovable ogre and he's back for thirds.
Shrek (Mike Meyers) and his wife, Fiona (Cameron Diaz), are both now living in the castle with Fiona's parents in Far Far Away. As Fiona's father the King has been bed-ridden with illness, Shrek and Fiona have been performing the duties of a king and queen with each time ending in a disaster. But it isn't long before the King is croaking his last croak on his death-bed, though not before naming Shrek as his successor and heir.
Shrek, less than flattered, has been missing his ogre life back at the swamp and is looking forward to returning home. He pleads for his dying father-in-law to reconsider, and, out of the blue, a young boy named Arthur (Justin Timberlake) is revealed as the only other living heir (with no explanation why). It is now up to Shrek to bring him back.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) is again plotting his way to becoming king, reclaiming — as he puts it — what is rightfully his. He has rounded up all the fairy tale villains and is planning to strike while Shrek is away with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Only Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), Fiona and her friends are left at the palace to take up arms against Prince Charming.
While I appreciate how Shrek 3 isn't as messy as Spider-Man 3 or as hectic as Pirates 3, its plot is too straight forward, too linear. The jokes are the only thing that's driving the movie forward and most of the jokes are recycled and reused.
Let's face it, after three instalments, there are probably not many fresh new ideas you can come up with for a big, green and ugly-looking ogre. Shrek is still seen making fun of himself, burping and scratching and eating disgustingly. Donkey and Puss are limited to one-liners and they aren't even that funny anymore. The same goes for Pinocchio, The Ginger Bread Man and the rest of the sub-cast, whose funniest moments have already been revealed in the trailers.
Remember how Donkey and Puss did a great number at the end of Shrek 2 to the song "Livin' La Vida Loca"? Even the song at the end of this one is obscure and boring.
When the original Shrek came out, it was fresh and therefore, hilariously funny; and the second had more than enough entertainment value with the new additions into the Shrek franchise family to make it a worthy successor, this third one however has a significantly different pace and is more serious than ever. Shrek is on a quest to bringing back a teenager who has no idea how to be a king while he sets his target as returning back to his swamp to live in peace and seclusion. But who wants a serious Shrek?
Not only has Shrek toned down the entertainment value in this one, but there are so many underlying messages for the kids that it feels more like going to a lecture for moral lesson. Bring your notepads, boys and girls; there is much to be learned. Sure, it's a good idea to incorporate all these life-changing and educational issues into a cartoon which most kids will watch, but where is the fairy tale? Where is that Disney magic especially when we have all the princesses from the old Disney fairy tales in one movie (though none of them share any resemblance to the originals)? They just don't make animated movies like they used to.
What had me reminiscing the most was when Snow White started singing and all the animals from the forest approached her, a la classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. That was the highlight of the moment for me and left me wanting more. Sadly, no more came.
What's more disappointing was how there didn't seem to be much improvements in the animation department. The texture and the colours still looked the same as when Shrek first came out six years ago.
So far, not one of this summer-season's trilogies has lived up to its predecessors. No matter how much box-office records they smash, it has been disappointing all around coming from the biggest names in Hollywood.
It would be wise not to get any hopes up for next week's Ocean's Thirteen.
Reviewer's Rating: 6.5 / 10The Brunei Times
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