Writer: Cammy Zulkifli

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Watch this if you liked: Previous "Shrek" movies

Our lovable band of fairy-tale heroes return for the third time to tickle our funny bones in "Shrek 3". When the first "Shrek" movie premiered in 2001, it was a celebrated revenge for the repressed, challenging the notion that fairy-tales are always full of roses and that it always ends in 'happily ever after'. "Shrek" was the rebel in all of us and it threw the much-needed reality slap to a fantasised subject. The idea was tempting, the product was made and ironically, we celebrated it as one of the highest grossing animation film in history.

"Shrek 3" continues from where the last movie left off with Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) bunking in the castle of the kingdom of Far Far Away. Fiona's father, King Harold a.k.a. the Frog King (John Cleese), is about to croak (pun intended) and the next person in line for the throne is Shrek himself. And here lies Shrek's predicament - he would rather return to his beloved swamp than become the next king.

Aesthetically, the movie has invariable improvisations. Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) has been upgraded to sport a sleeker, shinier and fluffier body of fur. Backgrounds look next to real and you would definitely think so when the animated characters are off the scene. Eyebrows are emphasised, global highlighting implemented and all the little details are made to look a little more life-like than "Shrek 2" but however, the polished effects amount to nothing much.

The humour has gone stale, the characters have become boring and the story doesn't wow you anymore. "Shrek 2" was great because of its larger-than-life interpretations and over-dramatised plot lines. The third instalment turns out to be a 'watered-down' copy of the second. There is nothing remarkably new to chew on and if you loved the first two movies, there's a chance you might leave the cinema in distaste after seeing this one. Even Donkey (Eddie Murphy) has lost his charm.

Arthur (Justin Timberlake), Fiona's cousin and the next suitable heir for the throne, seem to be a quick and hasty addition to the character line-up. He is granted very little screen time and is less than memorable compared to the impact Shrek made on the audience. Even if he doesn't show up in the next "Shrek" movie (if there is one), no one would care, really. Everyone is a little tired of Prince Charming's (Rupert Everett) ridiculous 'bad guy'-wannabe sentiments. A highly annoying metrosexual villain is less than pleasing.

Fans of Shrek will still enjoy his return but the movie sadly fails to outdo itself.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008