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Voices: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake, Julie Andrews, John Cleese. Animated comedy. Written by Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman and Chris Miller & Aron Warner. Directed by Chris Miller.

FILM SYNOPSIS: When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he had in mind was becoming the next king. But when Shrek’s father-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, that is exactly what he faces. Unless Shrek (with the help of his trusted companions) can find a suitable king for Far Far Away, the ogre could be stuck with the job.

PREVIEW REVIEW: There’s comfort in familiarity. And I’m convinced that third films in a series don’t have to be good, just familiar. That was my impression of Shrek the Third. The script was either under- or overwritten, the author’s jokes mostly just missing the funny bone. Oh, kids laughed at the screening, usually at flatulence jokes and the like, but they also got antsy more than once. For them and for me, there was what we in the movie reviewing trade call “moments of tedium.”

It’s fairly clean, there are some positive messages about loyalty, but it lacks the creativity of the first installment and the charm and funniness of the second. It’s not a bad film; it’s just one that passes the time. It’s a case where animated moviemakers have gone to the pixel-well once too often.

Video Alternative: Shrek 2. I could spend time focusing on the artistry, the look, the story and the pacing of this film. Certainly these areas deserve the attention as they all work together beautifully. But I am going to keep this one simple. It’s funny. There are a few jokes based on crudeness, such as an ogre flatulating here and a princess belching there, but the crudities have been toned down from the original. The majority of humor, both visually and in the dialogue, stems from clever references to pop culture icons and creative parodies. What’s more, the creators have seen to it that the film amuses children and adults alike.

Distributor: DreamWorks