FILM REVIEW

King Features Mike Myers stars as the voice of Shrek in 'Shrek the Third.'
Time: 93 minutes
MPAA rating: PG
GRADE: CRunning

Just so you know where we stand: I adored the first Shrek movie. I own the DVD and have watched it at least a dozen times. The animation, the voice acting, the musical numbers ... magic.

"Shrek 2" was pretty good, too. The addition of Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots was a stroke of comic genius. And while the sequel wasn't as magical as the original, I still thought it had a lot going for it.

Which brings us to "Shrek the Third."

Gah. What a snoozer.

I can't believe that a movie that is so beautifully animated and rendered could be so boring. Even most of the cast sound like they're reading their lines in their sleep (Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, I'm looking in your direction). The jokes are the same tired, rehashed gags we've seen a thousand times. Sure, there were a few times I chuckled, but I didn't have the belly-laughs I got when watching the original.

"Shrek the Third" has three plots: 1. Shrek (Mike Myers) dealing with the Mega-Angst of becoming a father; 2. The king is dead, and because Shrek has Mega- Angst about becoming king (because for some reason, the king's Daughter By Blood, Fiona, can't become the monarch), he goes in search of Arthur (Timberlake) to take the crown; and 3. Prince Charming plots to assume the thrown while Shrek is away on his Quest, leaving Fiona (Diaz) and a gaggle of princesses to defend the land of Far Far Away.

That's a lotta plot - and it gets in the way of what makes a good Shrek movie. It's the relationship between Shrek and his friends that makes the movies great - the comedy of diverse personalities, not selfconsciously hip pop culture references.

I really can't recommend that you pay full price to see "Shrek the Third." Catch it at a matinee if you simply MUST see it. Otherwise wait for it to hit the dollar theater or home video.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.