Shrek the Third (2007) - Declined quality but still loads of fun to be had with third Shrek

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Shrek returns in royal, uncomfortable getup, flanked by his beloved co-characters, on this colorful poster for Raman Hui and Chris Miller's Shrek the Third

When the king of Far Far Away passes away, Shrek and Fiona are the heirs, but the duties don't suit Shrek, who journey out to find the next in line to the throne; teenager Artie. - Meanwhile Prince Charming makes a last attempt at claiming the kingdom for himself.

Shrek the Third is written by Jeffrey Price (Johnny Bago (1993, TV-series)), Peter S. Seaman (Doc Hollywood (1991)), Aron Warner (Antz (1998, producer)) and Chris Miller (Shrek (2001, additional dialog)), with Andrew Adamson (Shrek 2 (2004)) supplying story elements, and directed by Miller and Raman Hui (Monster Hunt (2015)).
Shrek returns for his second sequel, which is still full of funny moments; now with Justin Timberlake (Trolls (2016)) as the new not quite ready heir to the throne heir Artie. The story is less gripping and more raggedy than the ones in Shrek and Shrek 2. And the humor and many of Shrek the Third's long row of jokes are aimed at its adult audiences. It gets by all the same, simply because it is a lot of fun.

Related post:

Shrek franchise: Shrek 2 (2004) - Fun and adventure reign in tremendous family animation romp

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 160 mil. $
Box office: 798.9 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 4.99 times its cost)
[Shrek the Third premiered 6 May (Westwood, California) and runs 92 minutes. Following the massive success of Shrek 2, a third, fourth and possibly a fifth film were announced. The salaries for the film's 3 main stars were not reported this time around. The film opened #1 to a 121.6 mil. $ first weekend in North America, - the biggest opening for an animated film in the market until Finding Dory (2016), - spending another 3 weeks in the top 5 (#2-#3-#5), grossing 322.7 mil. $ (40.3 % of the total gross). It was the 2nd highest-grossing film of the year in North America, selling approximately 46.9 mil. tickets. The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 78.1 mil. $ (9.8 %) and France with 44.2 mil. $ (5.5 %). It was the 4th highest-grossing movie of the year globally. It was nominated for a BAFTA. Roger Ebert gave it a 2.5/4 star review, translating to a notch harder than this review. The film made in excess of 176.7 mil. $ on home video sales in North America from around 11.8 mil. units, which, if added into the equation, would change the film's status to that of 'huge hit'. The franchise returned with Shrek Forever After (2010) and spin-off Puss in Boots (2011), and a reboot may presently be in the works. Hui returned with 4 short efforts before a theatrical release with Monster Hunt (2015); Miller returned with Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots (2011). Mike Myers (The Cat in the Hat (2003)) returned in Shrek the Halls (2007, short) and theatrically in The Love Guru (2008); Eddie Murphy (Harlem Nights (1989)) in Shrek the Halls and theatrically in Meet Dave (2008); Cameron Diaz (Gangs of New York (2002)) in Shrek the Halls and theatrically in What Happens in Vegas (2008). Shrek the Third is rotten at 41 % with a 5.44/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

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