It suffers from that common virus, sequelitis -- the ennui that afflicts blockbusters when they've outlived their capacity to amuse.
Shrek the Third (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:38
Fresh:18
Rotten:20
Average Rating:5.7/10
Consensus: Shrek the Third has pop culture potshots galore, but at the expense of the heart, charm, and wit that made the first two Shreks classics.
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins 43 secs
Genre: Childrens
US Box Office: $320,706,665
Synopsis: In the third installment of the wildly popular SHREK series of computer-animated movies, everyone's favorite hygienically challenged green ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) faces both parental and royal... In the third installment of the wildly popular SHREK series of computer-animated movies, everyone's favorite hygienically challenged green ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) faces both parental and royal responsibility when his wife, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), finds out that she is pregnant and that her father, King Harold (John Cleese), is on his death bed. The shock of these revelations leads Shrek on a journey with his loyal companions Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) to seek out another heir to the throne--an awkward young boy named Artie Pendragon (Justin Timberlake). Waiting in the wings is the scheming Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), who sees the perfect opportunity to make his own bid for power and rallies a villainous crew to attack the castle. Taking over the reins from director Andrew Adamson, Raman Hui and Chris Miller fill the land of Far, Far Away with even more fairy-tale characters in SHREK THE THIRD. Although this takes away from Shrek's own screen time, it introduces the highly amusing Princess Squad--which includes Snow White (Amy Poehler) and Cinderella (Amy Sedaris)--and the bullying Lancelot (John Krasinski), among others. And, as always, this SHREK outing features many pop-culture references, even managing to nod to two horror films (THE EXORCIST and ROSEMARY'S BABY) in a single shot. The movie also allows for more hilarious interplay between Donkey and Puss in Boots, resulting in a comedic adventure tale that, while over-populated, is still undeniably entertaining. [More]
Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas
Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake, Regis Philbin, Cheri Oteri, Eric Idle, Maya Rudolph, Amy Sedaris, Conrad Vernon, Aron Warner
Director: Raman Hui, Chris Miller
Director: Raman Hui, Chris Miller
Screenwriter: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Jon Zack
Producer: Aron Warner
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Reviews for Shrek the Third
It's brilliantly funny but makes sure none of the laughs come at the expense of the integrity of the characters
The third outing remains amusing, but lacks the genuine thrills and few belly laughs that made the other two so memorable
Shrek the Third isn't awful, but it's bland, with a barrel-scraping averageness.
Children may devour the slapstick, but the once-mighty Shrek has somehow lost all his charm and spiky humour.
Another summer threequel, another case of slipping standards – not so much in the visuals, which remain predictably impressive, but in the all-important gag rate. To waste both Donkey and Puss is a crime…
This is the most visually impressive Shrek yet. It’s also the least inspired.
The plot material isn’t as strong as in the first two movies -- if anything, it feels a bit desperate -- but the anti-Disney joke blunderbuss remains in good working order.
The film's humor is all in the business and nowhere in the lame story's two subplots, neither of which is strong enough to sustain a real movie.
A parallel world of wonders, zestfully conceived and radiantly rendered, in which the great-hearted ogre tries his likeable best to avoid the parallel threats of kingship and parenthood.
The world of the fanciful fable looks particularly vibrant this time with its signature blend of realism and fantasy. It is a pleasure to watch these fairy tale folk be themselves -- yet again.
Shrek the Third seems at once more energetic and more relaxed [than its predecessors], less desperate to prove its cleverness and therefore to some extent smarter.
Shrek the Third has its moments. But does a kids' movie really need, among other similar touches, a Hooters joke? I, for one, wouldn't want to have to explain it.
It makes the mistake of thinking slapstick action is funny for its own sake. True, characters zooming and bouncing around are easy to write because no creative invention is required to set them in motion. But so what?
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.
Latest News for Shrek the Third
March 04, 2008:
Rush Hour 3 Takes '07 DVD Rental Crown
It may not have been quite the box-office phenomenon that its predecessors were -- and critics may have disliked it enough to keep it down at 20 percent on the Tomatometer --... More...
November 13, 2007:
RT on DVD: The Return of Shrek, Miami Vice, and Seagal!
It's a week of threequel DVD offerings, as a certain green ogre playing daddy (Shrek the Third) and a group of hipster thieves out for revenge (Ocean's Thirteen) hit shelves.... More...
November 09, 2007:
Twelve Features Competing for Animated Feature Film Oscar
The nominations for the 80th Academy Awards won't be announced until January 22, but the names of the films being submitted for consideration are starting to trickle in. More...
July 18, 2007:
Shrek Films To End At Five?
By now we've already heard that DreamWorks plans to have a fourth "Shrek" movie in theaters by 2010, and that they want to then squeeze out a fifth film. But that, they promise,... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Shrek the Third at Rotten Tomatoes
- Shrek the Third at IGN
- Shrek the Third at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

