Never mind how many times you've seen the trailer on TV. That scene in which Shrek (Mike Myers), as acting king of Far Far Away, christens a ship into a watery grave is still a hoot and a half. If there were many more like it in "Shrek the Third," it'd be an instant classic.
As it is, the latest installment in the life and times of the good, green ogre tickles and heartens with slick efficiency. That may be enough for die-hard fans, but some of us are waiting Still, for roughly its first half-hour (during which that boat thing heavily on pop-culture references. That was the problem four years ago with Robin Leach.
There was still just enough of the original "Shrek's" cleverness to prop up the cheaper chuckles. But the sequel still felt less like a comedy This, of course, was a minority opinion. "Shrek 2" inhaled almost as many millions as its predecessor, making a third installment not only inevitable, So here's Shrek, still curmudgeonly, still smelly and still married to the doughty, doting Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), who's got that added glow even lady ogres get when they're with child.
Shrek's not sure how he feels about that, but he is sure that he in no way wants to take over as Far Far Away's monarch after his frog kin father-in-law (John Cleese) - ahem - croaks. The from the throne, casting his lot with other wicked outcasts, from Captain Hook (Ian McShane) to evil stepsisters (Regis Philbin, Larry King) to stage a coup Shrek, meanwhile, is off with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss In Boots only other rightful heir to Far Far Away's throne. Artie's voice, by the by, is provided by Justin Timberlake, and he brings the kind of gnarly-but-earn- est quality to the character that, well, just about any young male actor would.
In other words, you'd neither know nor care that it's Just- in Timberlake's voice vocal troupe. All of them still seem to be having a good time with the franchise, with the possible exception of Myers, who seems to be sighing a lot here. Or is it Shrek himself who's feeling winded?
If you're into the last two installments, you'll find the same laughs here. Nothing more, nothing less. Voices include Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everett and Justin Timberlake.
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