After 2007 started so wonderfully with great films including 300, Grindhouse and Hot Fuzz, the official summer tentpoles are not pulling their weight. Sure, Spider-Man 3 is killing it at the box office, but the film was an overall disappointment. Now it is another sequel's turn, Shrek the Third, to prove that '3' still is a lucky number.
Unfortunately for us, it looks like DreamWorks may have missed the mark as well.
Shrek the Third Reviews
Both THR and Variety have posted their official reviews on Shrek the Third and both agree that the animated installment has lost a lot of the flair that the predecessors had.
Variety
While still mirthful and eccentric enough to amuse his hordes of admirers, the irascible green ogre begins to show signs of encroaching middle age in "Shrek the Third." After a buoyantly funny first half-hour, stylish animated comedy takes a breather before ramping it up again for a rambunctious, girrrl-power finale that provides a convenient springboard for further adventures to come. As the $920 million in worldwide B.O. for "Shrek 2" three years ago nearly doubled the take of the 2001 original, there can be little doubt about similarly monstrous results this time around.
THR
Nor is he the only character to have changed for the worse. Donkey (Eddie Murphy) is less the hilariously annoying motormouth companion to Shrek and more a helpful, even empathetic pal. That's bad enough, but he is no longer very funny either.
Much of the bite and a good deal of the wit of the first two films are missing here. The rude send-up of beloved fairy tale conventions remains -- somewhat -- but these playful jabs no longer come as pleasing surprises. You expect them. And you expect better.
Read both full reviews for Shrek the Third by clicking the bold links.
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