Lovable Ogre’s Latest Adventure Out on DVD
This review-proof DVD is another pleasant, if readily-disposable adventure about the ogre who wouldn’t be king. The voice cast again features Mike Myers in the title role, along with Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, and John Cleese and Julie Andrews as her parents, the King and Queen of Far Far Away. Also back are Antonio Banderas as the swashbuckling Puss in Boots and Rupert Everett as Prince Charming.
The plot is a logical extension of the franchise’s earlier installments. Shrek 1 introduced the lovable green swamp thing and ended with his wedding to Fiona. In Shrek 2, the Princess took her lovable ogre home to “Meet the Parents.”
At this flick’s point of departure, we find King Harold, in failing health and urgently in need of an heir. Unassuming Shrek is reluctant to ascend to the throne, so when his froggy father-in-law croaks, he has to find a replacement. Otherwise, the heir will be his old nemesis, the ambitious Prince Charming.
Fortunately, Fiona does have a more-deserving cousin (Justin Timberlake) in Artie, a nerdy teen who’s still in prep school. Then, after learning from his wife that she’s pregnant, a suddenly discombobulated Shrek sets off in search of her cousin.
Accompanied by his trusted sidekicks, the trash-talking Donkey and the debonair Puss in Boots, our humble hero embarks on a trek during which he finds himself confronting an assortment of villains from famous fables, like Cyclops (Mark Valley), Cinderella’s evil step-sisters (Larry King and Regis Philbin) and Captain Hook (Ian McShane). But there’s never much doubt about how it will all turn out, for yet another happily-ever-after ending is obviously in the offing.
Along the way, brace yourself for enough sassy repartee, slapstick, and bodily function humor to keep kids of any age entertained for ninety-minutes.
Good (2 stars)
Rated PG for crude humor, suggestive language and daring action.
Running time: 92 minutes
Studio: Paramount Home Video
DVD Extras: Additional scenes, cast audio commentary, two music videos, four trailers, two interactive games, four DVD-ROM features and more.
