Shrek, the third

The first two Shreks were irreverent and original. Almost uniquely in Hollywood they managed to entertain both adults and children without neither patronizing the former nor confusing the latter. In Shrek 3, except for a couple of scenes, there was barely a snigger from the audience of any age throughout the movie.

Much like Shrek 2, this third installment ultimately comes off as a retread. They just haven't been able to recapture the magic created in the original. Instead, the filmmakers regurgitate the same comic set ups and, in some cases, the same jokes.

Maybe they won't ever be able to reach that same plateau. But you've still got to give the Shrek franchise props for being the granddaddy of fairy-tale spoofs. Even if the sequels don't measure up, the Shrek phenomenon on the whole has set the bar, creating a certain charisma in the let's-make-fun-of-traditional-lore milieu.

Shrek the Third highlights include: Worcestershire High School, where Artie goes to school, which is full of John Hughes teenagers talking in medieval, oh-thou-di'nt-just-say-that speak; Charming being relegated to doing third-rate dinner theater; Pinocchio trying to talk his way around not lying, and more.

With many hilarious scenes, it's hard to hate this film. There are many pop culture references and the soundtrack is awesome, too. It's the minor characters who have the best lines, though. Great voice work once again.

The youth are going to love Shrek the Third regardless of whether it hits the mark or not.

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